Deitrich Faison (2026-06-05) — Obituary

Deitrich (Dee) Paulette Faison was born December 23, 1944, in Camden, NJ, the oldest child of the late Gwendolyn Ashford and James W. Faison, Jr.Dee graduated from Camden High School in 1962 and attended Hampton Institute (University) obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education in 1966. At Hampton, Dee was a member of the Dance Club (later renamed the Terpsichoreans) and the Phillis Wheatley Society. While pursuing her graduate studies, Dee pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and earned a Master of Education in Dance Education from Temple University. She pursued additional studies at Pennsylvania Ballet and University of the Arts.Dee began her career as an educator teaching biology in the Norwalk, CT school district. She later transferred to the School District of Philadelphia where she taught Health, Physical Education, and Dance Arts to middle and high school students at Barrett Junior High and William Penn High School. She also coached volleyball and badminton, and alongside a dear colleague, co-founded the William Penn Dance Company.Dee moved from Camden to Bear, DE, in 1995. A few short years later she retired from the Philadelphia school system after serving over 30 years. Thereafter, she enjoyed organizing her colleagues and fellow retirees for luncheons; they called their group Just Friends. She also began working with young people teaching math and science through dance. Dee also served as a teaching artist for the Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education. Over the course of her career, she choreographed more than 300 theatrical productions in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, Temple University, the Philadelphia Dance Alliance, Talk Back Theatre of Smyrna, and Sankofa African Drummers and Dancers of Dover, Delaware. She was also an educational consultant and dance artist with the PA Council on the Arts, Philadelphia Institute of the Arts, University of Delaware, Delaware Wolf Trap program for early learning through the arts, and the Boys and Girls Club of America afterschool program. Dee received numerous awards, including Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and Best Practices in PA Arts in Education. For Dee, dance was a calling. It was a language she used to reach young people, build community, and open doors that might otherwise have stayed closed.In addition to dance, Dee was an avid Philadelphia Eagles and 76ers fan and was always known to be the life of the party. One of her favorite expressions was ‘I’m gonna keep on moving ‘til the wheels fall off.’ Dee also loved to travel and visited every continent except Australia and Antarctica. When traveling domestically, she always carried her Hampton University Alumni Directory and visited with fellow alum along her route. Another activity that gave Dee immense joy was joining her mother on campaign and political outings, often being relegated to ‘hold my purse,’ or being tapped to serve as the family representative at political and social events.Dee originally attended Immaculate Heart of Conception Catholic Church having been educated at St. Mary’s in her elementary years. As an adult, however, she joined her mother at Tenth St. Baptist Church in Camden, NJ, where she was active in the Adult/Angelic choir. Upon moving to Bear, Delaware, Dee joined Coleman Memorial United Methodist Church where she began the praise dance ministry, Amazing Grace, and was active throughout the church’s ministries and services.Dee departed her earthly home on June 5, 2026. Those left to cherish her memory include her lifelong partner, Earnest (Turk) Turlington; step children Joi and Joe Smith; step grandchildren Isaiah and Elijah Smith; siblings Judge James W. Faison, III and Christy (Anthony Holmes) Faison; her nieces Felicia (George) Faison- Holmes and Nia Faison; her great niece and nephew Chloe and Lucas Holmes; and a host of relatives, friends, and adoring former students. In every studio, stage, and school she entered, Dee kept moving and brought everyone along with her. Dee's memory will live on through all those she loved and who loved her and the many lives she touched.

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