Tributes to Nancy Rubin

Nancy was one of the first members of the department's community to be in touch with me and to make me feel welcome. As an applicant, I found she reassuringly answered my many questions about the process. As a prospective student, I was grateful she made the arrangements for me to visit campus, which enabled me to experience WashU firsthand. As a new student—and even as a not-so-new student—I relied on her to answer my questions, be a constant source of calm and cheer, and to help me secure a mailbox low enough for me to reach. One of the best bits of advice I received was: "When in doubt, turn to Nancy." Her warmth and generosity will be profoundly missed.

--Allison Perelman, PhD Candidate

 

I am sad beyond words, but also glad that I was able to meet and spend time with Nancy, even if for a relatively short time after I joined WashU. Nancy was one of the most beautiful souls I ever met. She was so generous with her time and so committed to help all of us in the department, and always did so with a smile that was genuinely heartwarming. I benefited immensely from Nancy's knowledge and wisdom and I also had the best time talking to her! She loved ancient Egypt and I remember once she recommended to me a novel by Andre Norton that she had read a long time before. And suddenly, after a few days, a copy of the book appeared in my mailbox!

Nancy, you were/are a gem of a human being and I will miss you so very much.

 

--Nicola Aravecchia, Assistant Professor

 

Nancy was always smiling, calm, and caring toward others, even when she was suffering from her illness. Through her pleasant demeanour, she taught me the importance of maintaining a gracious and cheerful deportment, no matter how difficult the problem is. Her kindness during my graduate study and teaching period at WU contributed to an enjoyable and fulfilling time. Thank you, Nancy; you will always be in my heart, and I will forever be grateful to you. 

 

--Mayu Fujikawa, PhD, Washington University Art History and Archaeology

I always felt badly asking Nancy to do things… Nancy’s engagement with the people and events and places that came her way was so genuine and so filled with her own curiosity and humanity. She was fiercely loyal to those she kept near her. She was a gentle fighter, always clearheaded about her work and about her beliefs. And when Nancy was certain about something, it was never about Nancy, always about the principle that drove her position. Not that we argued. Nancy had great politics; she was on the right side of history, as they say. But I learned very early on just to follow Nancy’s directives. Nancy wasn’t interested in what I thought. She was efficient that way. I will miss her.

 

--Angela Miller, Professor

 

Nancy was a multi-dimensional and dynamic person. She took great interest in the lives of the people around her. My favorite aspect of her personality though was her soothing presence. There were some exceptionally difficult moments early in my academic career at WashU, and Nancy had a natural gift for comforting and reassuring me. Although not part of her job description, Nancy always provided this form of care to anyone who needed it. She was our department's remedy - a restorative and warming presence.  Her absence is sorely felt.

 

--Lacy Murphy, PhD Candidate

 

Nancy represented the best of us. She was generous and passionate, and, above all, kind. I will forever remember standing, elbows planted on the counter by her desk, chatting about things big and small: weekend plans, family, dream travels, even some gossip here and there. Nancy especially loved to talk about her sons, her husband, and her planned post-retirement trip to Ireland. The last time we talked, she told me all about that trip. The glow of it hadn’t left her, even in the thick of winter. I will cherish that conversation as I remember Nancy with love and gratitude.   

 

--Lindsay Sheedy, PhD Candidate

 

Nancy was one of those rare and beautiful human beings who, through constant but unobtrusive acts of kindness, attention, and cheer, make the world better for everyone. Her job was a demanding one, but, no matter how busy her day, she made time for the people who came into her office. I always left feeling happier than I had when I arrived.

 

--Susan Rotroff, Professor emerita

 

Nancy was the nicest person I had the privilege of knowing and working with.  She was with the Center for Computational Mechanics before she joined the Department of Art History and Archaeology.  She was attentive, caring, efficient and always cheerful.   It is fitting indeed to have a “Nancy Rubin Above and Beyond Award”.  Magdalin and I extend our deepest sympathy to Alex, Nick and Andrew. 

--Barna Szabó, Professor

Nancy had to be one of the most unflappable people I have ever met. She endured considerable trials, but she always seemed to be calm, steady, and supportive of those around her. Her quiet but clear love for her family came through, I think, in her devotion to the well-being of our graduate students, which I saw demonstrated time and again. Her experience and savvy were essential to my stewardship of the department in two stints as Chair.

 

--John Klein, Professor

 

Kind to all, and friendly to those who were equally kind.  Thoughtful, efficient, calm, kind; conscientious and thorough in all her work; open, warm, listening, sympathetic, discrete, kind and cooperative --with undergrads, graduates, and faculty -- such that everyone trusted and confided in her.  Did I mention kindness? A profound and bounteous kindness.  As my honored mother, who came from a similar type of giving tree, would say of Nancy, she was “a goddamn jewel.”

--Bill Wallace, Professor

 

I will always remember Nancy when I think about my time at WashU.  Her warmth and empathy never wavered. Popping into her office for a piece of candy and chitchat before, during, and after class was a comfort and a treat. 
 

Thank you, Nancy, for your kindness during times of struggle, shared joy in moments of celebration, and your generosity of time, company, and empathy.

 

--  Student

 

Whenever I had even the smallest piece of good news, I always made sure to share it with Nancy. I will never forget how her face would light up with glee, as if she was happier for you than even you were for yourself.  Nancy also delighted in small but meaningful acts of kindness that were specific in their intent--to say that she knew you are special and valuable. For my birthday one year, she gave me a card that included an Elizabeth Cady Stanton quote: “Nature never repeats herself, and the possibilities of one human soul will never be found in another. “  Nancy meant, as she often did, to remind me of my worth. In showing such generous kindness to me and to everyone whose path she crossed, Nancy was truly the rarest and best of humans. I miss her so very much.

 

--Betha Whitlow, Curator of Visual Resources

I was so sad to hear about the recent loss of our dear colleague, who was always so kind to me during my time as a graduate student in the department. When I was defending my comps in 2010, I was waiting in the main office and felt anxious and nervous, and Nancy generously taught me a sitting position to encourage deep breathing and inner calm that she'd learned from theater. I still use that pose when nervous in advance of conference presentation or meeting! 

 

--Emily Burns, PhD, Washington University Art History and Archaeology