The University family is greatly saddened to learn of the passing this weekend of Dr. Annette M. Olsen-Fazi, associate professor of French and English, and Tuesday’s passing of Georgina Vital, staff assistant in the Division of International Programs.
Colleagues and students alike found themselves buoyed by Olsen-Fazi’s boundless energy, enthusiasm and quick wit. She inspired everyone daily and truly loved her TAMIU family and friends.
Joining the University in 2005, she held her Ph.D. in Anglo-American Studies from the Université Paul Valéry, in Montpellier, France.
Shortly after her arrival, she was successful in leading a study-travel program for TAMIU students in France and aggressively building interest in French offerings here. She then marshaled forces to secure a special grant from Humanities Texas, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, to create TAMIU’s first French Film Festival, “La Vie En France.”
For the academic year 2007-2008, she was awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to lecture and research at the University of Sousse in Tunisia.
In spring 2008, when diagnosed with breast cancer, she characteristically was soon trying to find a way to help others. She began service with the Laredo Breast Cancer Coalition to help further its mission of bringing medical treatment to uninsured Laredo women diagnosed with breast cancer.
She is survived by her daughters, Lisa Maldonado and Stephanie Fazi, both of France, and her beloved Warren Graffeo, adjunct faculty for the TAMIU department of Language and Literature.
Funeral arrangements are pending, but will be scheduled later this week in Canyon Lake, Texas. An update will be provided soon.
An on-campus memorial will be held at a later date. A Memorial Scholarship has been created in Olsen-Fazi’s memory to support TAMIU student travel to French-speaking countries.
Donations can be made through the All4TAMIU Campaign, coordinated by the TAMIU Office of Institutional Advancement.
Georgina Vital, staff assistant in the Division of International Programs, died Monday afternoon.
On Sunday, Georgina, 23, delivered a healthy baby boy, Aaden. On Monday, she was transported to San Antonio’s St. Luke’s Hospital.
She is survived by her parents, Manuela Ortiz and Juan J. Vital, her brother, Jesse Vital and boyfriend, Julian Ochoa.
Funeral arrangements are pending and will be shared as soon as available.
http://media.www.thebridgenewspaper.com/media/storage/paper1120/news/2008/11/29/News/Survivor.Shares.Experience.With.Breast.Cancer-3562848.shtml
http://media.www.thebridgenewspaper.com/media/storage/paper1120/news/2008/10/08/News/A.Travelers.Account.Could.It.Be.The.Cats-3486610.shtml