Dear Cancer Center community:
The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) lost a friend and champion this morning. It is with sadness that I write to inform you that Anne Duli, our former Associate Director for Administration and Finance for the Case CCC, passed away this morning following a long battle with breast cancer.
Anne had a long and distinguished career at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) spanning 29 years. She started at CWRU in 1987 as an administrator in medical administration, was promoted to director in medical administration July 1990, was appointed Assistant Dean for Research Administration in 2004, and joined the Case CCC in 2006 as Associate Director for Research Administration and Finance. She guided the center through its renewals in 2007 and 2012 and advised us in our 2016 renewal, at which point she entered retirement.
Anne navigated the waters of our consortium cancer center with ease, forming valuable relationships with institutional leaders, 350 faculty members and the many staff who reported to or worked with her. She served as an advisor, mentor, friend and counselor to many of us. Anne served as the Center’s institutional knowledge-base and had a great understanding of the research environment. She understood the NIH and CWRU grants administration more than any of us, and successfully led the Case CCC team through two P30 renewal submissions and site visits, the Case GI SPORE submission, and other large project grants.
Anne was known for her calm and professional leadership style, leading by example yet shying from the limelight. She always remained composed and poised under pressure, with quiet confidence and authority, and a wicked sense of humor. She engaged her staff to embrace the opportunity to serve a greater mission through our work. Even after retirement, Anne remained a loyal friend, often stopping by the office to say hello or bring ice cream (her favorite).
Anne will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 17, at 11 am at Harkness Chapel on the CWRU campus.