On Thursday Feb. 12, the sounds of sobs were replaced by ardent laughter in the Killam Great Room where family, students, and colleagues gathered to pay respects to Dr. Annette Olsen-Fazi, who passed away on Jan. 31.
The ceremony opened with introductory words from Dr. Sean Chadwell, chair of the department of language and literature. Chadwell expressed his sentiments and said that he “felt incredibly lucky to have worked with Annette (Olsen-Fazi); to call her a colleague, to call her a friend.”
This sentiment permeated the crowd and although speakers and guests concurred that Olsen-Fazi was an exceptional professor, they conceded that she was an even better human being.
Warren Graffeo, adjunct faculty for the department of language and literature, said a few words and recited a poem.
“As rich as the English language is, I don’t believe there are enough words to do her justice,” said Graffeo.
Dr. Ray Keck, TAMIU president, also shared his thoughts.
“She had the uncanny ability to open her heart and create an environment.”
Keck left the audience with this: “Yes, we’ll find someone to teach French, and yes, we’ll find someone to teach English. But we will not replace Annette.”
With the first portion of the memorial services concluded, Chadwell requested that those in attendance go to the language and literature lab on the second floor of Pelegrino Hall where a plaque in honor of Olsen-Fazi was to be unveiled.
The plaque in honor of Olsen-Fazi hangs in Pelegrino Hall Room 206 and reads “In Memoriam of Dr. Annette Olsen-Fazi. Teacher. Scholar. Friend.”
As a true testament to Olsen-Fazi’s character, the crowd stayed largely intact and migrated to Pelegrino Hall.
Dr. Thomas Mitchell, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS), said he believed that Olsen-Fazi’s life was as rich as they could come.
“I can’t think of a better way to spend your life than having the impact that she did,” he said.
Dr. Paul Niemeyer, assistant professor of English, claims to be a better person for having known Olsen-Fazi, despite the admittedly short period of acquaintance.
Colleagues, however, weren’t the only ones moved, and students made their sentiments known.
Octavio Morales, who took French with Olsen-Fazi, shared his experience with Olsen-Fazi.
Morales recollected a time in his childhood when he promised himself he would visit Europe and how Dr. Olsen-Fazi helped him achieve that dream.
“She said I was the son she never had,” claimed Morales.
Amongst a myriad sentiments, Dr. Mitchell’s closing statement rang the loudest.
“We can’t all be Annette, but we can aim for it,” he said.
Olsen-Fazi’s funeral service was held in Canyon Lake, Texas at the Canyon Lake Presbyterian Church near Canyon Lake on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009. The TAMIU community was invited to attend.