Two years on and it is still hard to believe that Anne Marie is not free for coffee today. Though life goes on, and I still feel her presence, it hurts not to be able to speak to her, share a look of understanding with her, laugh with her. I miss her greatly.
Wendy
2
Remembering Anne Marie especially today, but she is in my thoughts always. Such a loss. Sometimes I still find it difficult to believe she is no longer with us. I wish I could drive down her street and walk into her garden and find her sitting there. I miss our conversations and hearing all of her latest ideas. My life is forever changed without her.
1
I am shocked to learn of Anne Marie's passing which l just found out from the Dal Magazine. What an incredible loss! We went to the same church - Canadian Martyrs Parish, and were both volunteers for Development and Peace. The last time l was in contact with Anne Marie was in spring 2020. From her care of her musical family, to generosity with her time, talents and treasure for Development and Peace and other engagements, her enthusiasm, kindness and love for God and people, it is difficult to fully describe her impact. Mary Anne, thank you for your friendship and may God rest your soul in eternal peace!
Wambui
0
I was shocked to hear the news of Anne Marie's passing. I am so very sorry for your loss and heartache. Anne Marie was a very bright light in this world. Her kindness and smile will always be remembered. I always loved our chats over the years and just last year she helped me with brochures for my grandkids. Words are just insufficient at a time like this.
1
Life isn’t about accomplishments or accumulation of things. It is about how many people you’ve had a positive influence on. On this scale, Anne Marie had a life very well lived!
I was fortunate to be one of the people that she helped along the way and am grateful for it. Her memory will be a motivation for me to be a positive influence on others around me.
Thanks Anne Marie!!
2
Anne Marie was a true inspiration to those that cared about teaching and learning. Although I did not get a chance to work closely with her, Anne Marie's passion for providing a high quality education to all students came though in every meeting and workshop we attended together. She had the ability to empower all those around her, even by simply agreeing with a comment that someone made. After all, if Anne Marie agree with you, you must be on the right track! She will be missed greatly, but she has mentored so many that her passion will live on. My condolences to her entire family. She will be missed but never forgotten.
2
Anne Marie was wise, compassionate, and fearless about trying new approaches to teaching and learning. She was always positive and encouraging and had a huge impact on the teaching and learning culture at Dalhousie. She initiated and nurtured the communities of teaching practice and designed a sustainable plan for them to continue to grow. She thought deeply about her teaching and introduced us to many concepts such as alignment, summative and formative assessment, scaffolding, being explicit about why we were doing what we were with the students and showing vulnerability. She taught me about the importance of humanizing students, flexibility and modeled how to lead discussions and divert venting into productive strategies. She taught us about the importance of questioning, evoking curiosity, activating prior knowledge and checking for understanding before moving on to more complex material. She had such a positive attitude and encouraged us to overcome difficulties with constructive solutions.
I know many of us hear Anne Marie’s sage advice and many stories from her vast teaching experience; we are so lucky to have heard them and known her. She is with us still.
Much love to her family,
Debra
2
2017, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Anne Marie and teaching colleagues at STLHE 2017
— with
Allison Schmidt, Jennifer Van Dommelen, Anne Mare Ryan, Lara Gibson
4
Anne Marie was a tremendous colleague, as good as they come. I consulted her frequently about a range of scientific and administrative issues, and she always made herself available for discussion, however much work she had ahead of her. She gave such thoughtful, well considered, and positive advice. It is a pleasure to remember her wonderful contribution to so many of us on her birthday. Martin Gibling
1
2022, Mary River, northern Baffin Island, NU
Cool rocks in surprising places, like this orbicular granite at Mary River Iron Mine
1
Anne Marie provided my first glimpse into the geology word, and today I'm working in northern Canada (Mary River Iron Mine, Baffin Island, NU) and sincerely thankful for the opportunity! Would not be here without AM. Lots of love to all.
1
My deepest sympathies to Bob, Fiona Kerrianne, Erin and all of her extended family and friends. So much has already been said about how wonderful a person Anne Marie was and how she touched so many lives. Like Stephanie Kienast, Anne Marie was one of the people who helped to guide me into my current position as an instructor in the Biology Department at Dal. Little did I know at the time that she and I would work closely together for a number of years to develop the Science Leadership course and certificate. Our friendship grew out of this collaboration. She was an amazing teacher, mentor and friend and I think of her every day.
1
I was very sorry to hear of Anne Marie's passing. I knew her as a fellow faculty member who had the privilege of working with her through the CLT. She was full of wise advice and kindness. Condolences to the family, and may she rest in peace.
1
Thinking of the Anne Marie's family during this difficult transition. Anne Marie was much loved and positively influenced the lives of colleagues, students and friends.
1
I am so sad to hear that Mia has left us. I met her when we were both 15 at school in Dublin - we were close friends in school and in UCD where we both studied science. We lost touch with each other, but I often thought of my lovely, gentle, kind, fun-loving friend from all those years ago. Back then, we shared many dreams & hopes about our lives - and I see from the information on this site that Mia lived the rich family life she wanted, surrounded by good friends and with professional success - and from the messages I see that she retained the qualities that made her such a wonderful friend all those years ago. My deepest condolences to family and friends. I know Mia will be greatly missed. RIP
2
I have great memories of Mia we were around the same age and as first cousins we saw quite a lot of each other especially when our dear uncle Father John returned from the USA. It was a major event and we all trouped our to Dublin airport to meet him. We then had a fun few weeks with cousins in Maxwell Road where Nana our grandmother lived. I also have fond memories of Mia when I stayed with them in Newry. She was such fun full of vim and vigour and i know she will be sadly missed by all her loving family and many friends. RIP
1
I was amazed as a young Dal student when, after only 2 weeks in her first year course with 2 sections and hundreds of students, she greeted me by name in a random hallway elsewhere on campus. Out of context, out of hundreds of faces that crossed her path every day, she knew her students. It blew my mind.
When I was began to struggle with life and school, she noticed before I did, and she took the time and made the effort to reach out to me. She helped me identify and navigate the supports the school could provide. Years later, I have a better understanding of how busy she must have been with all the roles she filled at Dal and in the community, but she never gave the impression that she was "too busy" to connect with you. She had that rare ability to be completely present and give 100% of her focus to her interactions, making one feel important and valued.
My deepest condolences to family and friends on the passing of this most wonderful, special human being.
1
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