Nancy Fallon's life was a gift
Letter to the Editor
I first met Nancy Fallon in 1989 when she came to talk to me about free-lance writing for Courier. I knew instantly that she was someone I wanted to work with — someone I couldn't wait to work with. She was a quiet, even unassuming woman when you first met her, but in the course of our first meeting I could tell she possessed tremendous intelligence and insight. I couldn't believe how fortunate we were that Nancy had come through our doors.
During the seven years we worked together, Nancy wrote numerous articles for Courier that were all well-received.
Eventually, as her children grew older and were in school full time, she began to work on other projects for the College. She was widely respected by the extended College community, who knew her name even if they had not personally met her. Throughout our professional relationship, I was impressed by how devoted Nancy was both to her family and to the delicate juggling of caring for them and building her career.
When Nancy called me three years ago to tell me that Marilou Eldred had asked her to serve as editor of Courier, I was elated. I knew that she would put the soul back into the magazine that had been missing it for several years.
The magazine truly soared under her leadership. She formed a strong creative partnership with art director Angela Michielutti, and the magazine never read or looked better than it did under their collaboration. As an editor, Nancy showed not only vision but a meticulous attention to detail. I couldn't wait to see what her next issue would bring.
I feel especially fortunate because, as much as I cherished Nancy as a colleague, she was also a dear friend. Throughout our relationship, our conversations flowed as easily as they did that first day we met. We would talk about our work, our children, our professional aspirations and our personal doubts. Through it all, Nancy was always a supportive, positive and overwhelmingly gracious friend.
It's hard to imagine Saint Mary's or Courier without Nancy. It's even harder to imagine life without her. Her life was a gift to all of us who knew and loved her.
Maureen Manier
Former Editor
Saint Mary's Courier
February 29, 2000
All Viewpoint Stories for Wednesday, March 1, 2000
