Clayton Valli Obituary

[Leila Monaghan]

Just got the sad news that Clayton Valli, a leading American Sign
Language scholar and poet, has died.

Dr. Clayton L. Valli, 51, American Sign Language Poet, Teacher,
Linguistics Professor
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA -- Dr. Clayton L. Valli, 51, formerly of
Seabrook, N.H, died Friday, March 7th at the Baptist Hospital, in
Miami, Florida.
Born in Newburyport, MA on May 25th, 1951, he was the son of the late
Frances S. Valli, Jr.   He was a 1971 graduate of Austine School for
the Deaf in Brattleboro, Vermont in 1971.  He graduated with a B.A.
degree in Social Psychology in 1978 from the University of
Nevada-Reno, and with an M.A. Degree in Linguistics in 1985 from
Gallaudet University in Washington, DC.  He completed his doctorate in
Linguistics and American Sign Language (ASL) Poetics at the Union
Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1993 and worked as a professor, a
consultant, a presenter, and a trainer related to ASL poetry and
linguistics,  at  Gallaudet University. He was the co-author of 4
books and numerous articles relating to the structure and use of ASL.
After his retirement, he continued to work as a part time editor for
the Gallaudet University Press and enjoyed traveling around the world
as a Lecturer.
Mr. Valli is survived by his mother Alice P. Eaton (Bagley), two
brothers Kim Valli and his wife Barbara of West Hartford Ct., George
Perkins and his wife Mila of North Hampton, NH, two sisters, Frances
Eaton and her husband Allen of Seabrook, NH,  Carla Perkins and
companion, Susan Portor of South Hampton.   Five nieces, Michele
Chapdelanie, Stacy Wasson, Corri Eaton, Sophia Valli and Jessica
Valli. He is also survived by his life partner, Thomas Elenz of
Berlin, Germany, and  an international community of friends and loved
ones.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 22, at 11 am at Remick
& Gendron Funeral Home 811 Lafayette Road Hampton, NH 03842
(Subject to Change) A memorial service will also be held at Gallaudet
University in Washington, D.C., date to be announced.
Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Seabrook, NH
In lieu of flowers a Scholarship will be set up for Deaf students
wanting to continue their education.  Memorial donations may be sent
to the Dr. Clayton L. Valli Scholarship Fund,  %Frances Eaton, 37
Folly Mill Terrace, Seabrook, NH   03874.