Effie was a remarkable woman. I knew her when she was a remarkable kid. I’m confident that her daughter is wonderful like she was. My heartfelt condolences to Terri and the whole extended family. The world lost a beautiful soul. Sending love and hugs, Lisa

I will treasure the memory of Effie’s infectious laugh. I am heartbroken to hear this news, and send my deepest condolences to Andrew, Melina and all Family, Friends and Colleagues.
Much love to you all.

Effie was in town visiting her sister and we brought our kids to Ronan Park to romp around together. The kids had a blast and we did a lot of reminiscing and laughing.

High school prom!

High school shenanigans

High school shenanigans

Effie and I met our junior year in high school when she first transferred to ETHS from our rival New Trier. We ended up in the same French class, and became fast friends, constantly giggling in class and bonding over our love for the French language. We decided to participate in the French exchange our senior year along with our friend Matt Goldman. We entertained our exchange partners together in Evanston and chicago, and near the end of their visit, my parents took me, Effie Matt and our French friends up to our Door County cabin for a weekend. Silliness and joy I will always cherish. We both went on to major in French in college. ❤️

A break from MCN to support a protest at the TX capitol

Leading the Smithsonian contingent at MCN

at the drinking about museums meetup in November — with Andrew Lih

Making Riga, and ourselves, more classically beautiful

Warsaw never knew what hit it

MOMO weekend away full of shenanigans.

Effie’s ride, the long tail bike, on a lovely DC drizzly day. She could go anywhere on that bike, and weather did not deter.

Effie herself

I am heartbroken, Andrew, for you and Melina. Sending light and love. 

I worked with Effie in Chicago at Cognitive Arts and liked her immediately. She was smart, creative and exceptionally kind. Effie forged her own path at that quirky little company and I remember others pondering how in the world she did it. From content to project management to design – she could do it all, and all so very well! I was walking by Effie’s office one day and she waved me in, swiftly closing the door. A spreadsheet with everyone’s salaries had just been (accidentally) emailed to Effie and she quickly deduced that the women were all receiving lower salaries than the men in comparable roles. We strategized and she decided she was going to do something about it. The following week I and all the other women received little pay bumps, all thanks to Effie! I remember thinking about how brave she was to do that! Nothing was braver than the waterfall we rafted over, however! Several Coggers (as we called ourselves) went to Wisconsin for a camping & rafting weekend. Effie, Sarah Revitte and I floated down a lazy river all day together but the last bit had rapids. Effie was supposed to be in the middle but at the last moment wanted to switch with me to be in the front for the final, biggest one. We toppled over the waterfall & flipped our raft, all 3 of us bonking into each other underwater. It was truly terrifying but the elation & laugher upon all popping up together was something I’ll never forget! I last saw Effie a couple of years ago when she was in LA for a conference. We went for a hike and dinner together and then I drove her by Effie Street, a street I’m on everyday taking my kids to & from school. She laughed, “Oh good, you get to think of me every day!” And I did. And I will. My deepest, deepest condolences to Effie’s community, friends and family. She was universally adored. 

Konsumed by Yayoi Kusama

Konsumed by Yayoi Kusama