Defsounds

On the 16^th of November, Dr. Donda West, the mother of rapper Kanye West, was eulogized by friends and former colleagues.

The memorial service was held at Chicago State University, where she was a member of the faculty for over 20 years. West died Saturday after surgery “and was remembered as an inspiration”. During the eulogy many kind words were said.

The Director of University Relations, Robyn Wheeler, proclaimed, "She had a vibrant spirit, and one that was nurturing and also supportive, but nonetheless always challenging. We felt the service should reflect who she really was."

West was a former professor at the school and served as the chair of the “English and Communications, Media Arts, and Theater department.” Minister Aghahowa spoke about some of the lessons that Ms West taught her saying that West always pressed the need to honor everyone around you, and to “appreciate black culture”. She then went on to say, "Everyone who knew Donda knows how much fun she was and how down to earth she was."

According to MTV News, the direct cause of West's death is still unknown, but a representative for the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office announced that it should be up to six weeks before it is determined through tests. West passed away Saturday after having a surgery, done by Dr. Jan Adams. Many suspect that it might have been complications from an unspecified surgery that killed her. Dr. Adams, has said he performed a "tummy tuck" and breast reduction on West, but denied that her death was the result of surgery.

The West family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Donda West's name to the Kanye West Foundation/ Loop Dreams Teacher Training Institute, an organization that benefits students with an interest in hip-hop. The burial for Dr. West is to be held in her hometown of Oklahoma City this tuesday.

Kanye, who is reportedly still in Europe, did not attend the eulogy.