Mme Pigache was an incredible professor, and an even more amazing person. Absolulely a mainstay of the Rouen program, she will be missed, as I'm sure she's been since she retired. I have very fond memories of her, her painfully difficult literature class (which I still will argue was one of my most difficult, yet most rewarding at St. Lawrence), her sense of humor, and her kindness. I send my best to her family, and am sorry that I couldn't get back to Rouen in time to see her again.
Mike Levin '00
Mme. Pigache was in so many ways the embodiment of the SLU French Program. Her desire as a teacher to have us learn was exceeded only by how much she cared for us as a person. My sincerest thoughts for the Pigache family.
Jonas Hart '98
Eliane was a fantastic teacher, and an incredible person of generous spirit. My fondest memories of France always include Eliane and the Pigaches. I always remember her as the professor whose expectations I worked the hardest to meet, and the person who extended a great friendship that I often felt I did not deserve but was so honored to have. The French program at SLU lost a great deal when Eliane retired, but we have all lost a great deal more with Eliane's passing.
Miyo Geddes Wratten '95
What a wonderful person she was. She took me in when I was having
some challenges with my host family, she surprised me on my 21st
birthday with a beautiful cake and a local T-Shirt at a lovely quaint
restaurant in the South of France during our last excursion. So many
fond memories. I hope she knew the powerful impact she had on my
life. It's truly a sad day. My heart goes out
to Bernard and Marion, my deepest sympathies.
Laura Moore-Solano '97
Mme Pigache was an amazing person who I will forever remember for her warm, caring and unique personality. I looked forward to receiving her New Year's card every year so I could have, once again, that special connection to people and a place so dear to my heart. My heartfelt condolences for the Pigache family.
Edith Ellis '98
I will always remember Mme Pigache's literature class. It was a struggle
for me but she always gave me the extra time and support I needed
to help me succeed. She will be greatly missed.
Allison Holloway Kinard '98
Mme Pigache was a vibrant and caring individual. She was also quite stylish. I always looked forward to seeing what outfit she'd be wearing to literature class. The SLU community has lost a wonderful person. My thoughts are across the Atlantic with Bernard and the rest of Eliane's family.
Rachel Peterson '04
Mme Pigache was always so warm, giving and open to the St. Lawrence
France Program. I will never forget how "at home" I felt
with the Pigache family. Being so far from home, the feeling they
gave me was just what I needed. Mme Pigache will truly be missed.
My condolences to her family and friends.
Leeann Warner '04
Eliane was a lovely and witty
colleague. I will always remember her energy, her generous spirit,
her keen intelligence and her wonderful voice. I haven’t
seen her for years but I can still hear her.
Eileen McHugh
Mme Pigache was such a wonderful person who will truly be missed
by many. I feel honored that I was given the opportunity to meet
such an amazing woman. I'll always remember the dinners that her
and Bernard hosted at their house. The evenings were always filled
with lots of laughter, good conversation, and of course, great food
and wine. My thoughts are with the Pigache family.
Michele Mitchell '04
Mme Pigache was
a nuclear physicist of sentence structure. Her mind was like an accelerator
that bombarded syntax with ideas that split a phrase into its elemental
components. I was struck over and over by the enthusiasm of discovery
she radiated during each class. She forever changed the way I read.
Thank you Mme. Pigache.
Bob Peacock '80
M. & Mme Pigache were the surrogate 'parents' to so many St.
Lawrence students in France over the years. They will always remain
a part of the St. Lawrence family. Mme. Pigache was a wonderful teacher
and a caring individual. She will be dearly missed. Her tremendous
impact on generations of St. Lawrence students will be continue to
be felt. My thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.
Jolie Roetter '04
Mrs. Pigache was so energetic and enthusiastic and knowledgeable. We were very proud when we managed to fully understand her very rapid and very accurate French: it took a number of weeks for us to develop so we could fully follow her. From her, we learned a great deal about the precise use of language, and this has served us well, in French and in English. Bravo! and thanks to one of SLU's finest.
Bill Drake '77
I too am saddened to hear of Madame Pigache's passing. As an English
major who somehow stumbled through my wonderful year in Rouen, she
was my light in the French wilderness ! Fellow student Kim Goodwin
and I had some hilarious Saturday mornings with her at her home.
I will never forget her smile, her laugh and her oh, so distinctive
voice. She will be missed by many, of that I am sure.
Leslie Roberts Petersen '76
Mme Pigache was such an enthusiastic and devoted professor. I have never forgotten the three main themes of French poetry: l'amour, la mort, la fuite du temps. She made it all come alive.
Betsy Goldstein '89
Mme. Pigache was young when she taught us. I remember the cascading blonde hair, the furious writing on the blackboard, the voice gravelly from endless cigarettes. Did anyone speak faster or with more passion? Thank you, Mme. Pigache, for your dedication and for your excellent teaching. Merci et au revoir.
Linda Carbone '78
In thirty years of teaching
I have never known anyone as committed to her students as was Eliane
Pigache. I have always believed that, of all the American university
programs in France, St. Lawrence's was one of
the best. And that was due in large part to Eliane. What a legacy
she leaves.
Ed Pierce
I still think back fondly to the wonderful evenings spent with Eliane
and Bernard Pigache - particularly the small farewell
dinner parties they hosted for us. Chez Pigache we were greeted with
a generosity of spirit that made one feel at home. There was always
good food and wine, wonderful conversation, and introductions to
other students. Evenings with them were like little gifts - lovely,
humane, and very French.
K. Ann Thornton '94
Like many Laurentians, my year in France was the most influential
and poignant of my life. This was largely in part to the Pigache
family's open arms. They welcomed everyone and refused no one.
Mme. Pigache loved what and who she taught, and it was evident
in everything she did for our program. Those of us who were fortunate
enough to learn from her will never forget the grammar, and books,
and the way we all improved as people. My favorite memory of Madame
was our trip to Mt. St. Michel and singing "La vie en rose" in
the bus. She told me it was her favorite Edith Piaf song , so we
sang it to pass the time. It will always remind me of her. Mes
condolances Dr. Pigache, Marion, et leur famille.
Megan St. Clair Mario '98
Like everyone who participated in the Rouen program, I couldn't have imagined it without Les Pigaches. Mme. Pigache played such a role in my life that year and the memories are firmly rooted in my heart. Whether it was her participating in a sing-a-long at a group dinner, her beloved little Itchoo yipping and jumping up at her side, or the fact that she constantly challenged us to be better than what we were, she made an impact. My thoughts go out to her family and the SLU family she nurtured for so many years.
Alicia Joy '96
Mme. Pigache was always so vibrant and really understood what
her students were going through and never failed to extend open
arms in any situation. Bernard and Marion were also deeply invovled
with the program and never afraid to help when needed. I extend
my sincere condolences, she will be greatly missed.
Crystal Cyran '98
Mme Pigache was one of the most wonderful professors I have ever
had. She made you strive for excellence and was always ' l'coute'
for her students. I have the most wonderful memories of my semester
in Rouen. My condolences to Monsieur Pigache and family.
Carro Oldham '01
Not only was Mme. Pigache a surrogate mother to us, but she held us to high academic standards. She put in great effort and even personal time to make sure we all reached those standards. Her hospitality and love of teaching will be sorely missed.
Alison Kvetko '93
I was sad to hear about Mme Pigache. I will always remember her carrying
around her little white dog like a baby. What a wonderful woman,
I turned to her more than once for support and care. My thoughts
are with Docteur Pigache. Je suis tres desolee.
Caroline Bell '01
I can not say how saddened I was to hear that Mme Pigache was no
longer with us. I have nothing but wonderful memories of the amazing
way should took care of each and every student abroad who walked
through her life in Rouen. How welcoming and comforting she was to
each of us as we stumbled our way through French customs and literature
with her excellent guidance! It was certainly a tough blow to have
her expertise and charm retire from the France abroad program I can
certainly say it is a blow to us all again as she retires from the
world stage as well. You will be so missed Mme. I would say it in
French but you know, I always thought she understood more English
than she would ever let on.
April Duclos (Riel) '02
Mme. Pigache was such a wonderful person who brought her joy,
energy, wit and compassion to everything she did. As an educator,
Eliane challenged us and was so instrumental in making our year
in France so meaningful. As a person, her warmth and kindness made
us all feel at home. What sad news to hear of her passing. My most
sincere condolences go out to the Pigache family. She will be greatly
missed.
Tim Smith '96
Madam Pigache made our experience in France so much of what it was:
challenging, exciting and mind-opening. Because of her efforts and
love for the program, so many students lives changed forever, deepening
their appreciation for French culture. I may never have as nurturing
of an experience living abroad again but when the opportunity arises,
I hope to pass on what Mme. Pigache gave to me.
Meghan Holland '01
Wow. I am so sad to hear this news. Mme Pigache was the most wonderful
abroad-program coordinator anyone could ask for. I think we all realized
that, without her, the program would be only half as wonderful as
it was. How lucky so many of us were to meet her and Bernard, and
to benefit so tremendously from all they had to offer.I send my sincerest
condolences to her family so far away, yet so close to my heart.
Lela Dunbar '98
When I heard about the death of Mme. Pigache, I was compelled
to find my very worn and yellowed copy of Germinal, one of the
French classics we read during our year in France. In the margins
of that book were scribbled my notes memorializing her "explications de texte". Even today, I find those notes to be amazing. How she opened our eyes to the beauty of French literature! As I read the notes, I can still picture her in the basement classrom of "La Fac",
sitting on the edge of the desk, legs crossed, looking very elegant
with a cigarette in one hand and a book in the other. Elle va nous
manquer.
Toutes mes condoleances a la famille Pigache.
Maureen Hurley Milet '80
I am saddened and heart broken to hear of the passing of Madame Pigache.
She was an extraordinary person and a compassionate teacher. I will
never forget her classes on Maupassant, Flaubert, and Zola. But what
really stands out are the trips that we took with her and the dinners
at her house with Bernard. She always had her heart and door open
to us. My condolences to Bernard and to the rest of her family. Tu
vas me manquer. Je t'embrasse, Madame Pigache. Merci pour tout.
Dustin Williamson '02
i loved her- she was my surrogate mother in france.
when i
fought with the program director, or ranted against my host, or
cried in despair over idiotic SLU issues---madame pigache was always
there in support, comfort, and a hug.
they say french people don't
hug; well "they" never met madame pigache!
i truly adored madame pigache. she was a surrogate mom, an aunt,
a friend, a "warrior" woman in the true sense of the word.
she symbolized everything i loved about france and the french
culture. she was the heart of the SLU french program. she was the
shoulder i cried upon when i grew frustrated. she had magic which
made problems disappear.
she kept all my secrets- and shared some
of her own.
God, i hope she knew how much we all loved her. i bet
she's looking down from Heaven, watching out for us still...hanging
down from the clouds to guide us on our paths.
there is a secret
i've kept all these years...once i had a HUGE fight with my host.
some of you know the details. however, what no one else knows are
the conversations madame pigache had with my mother in florida.
yes, mothers are the same worldwide- they look after their ducklings!
this woman in france held my mother's proverbial hand across phone
lines and promised to look after me.
it was madame pigache that
showed me first the definition of true french hospitality and what
it "means" to
be french.
I can't stop crying; God, how awful. this just sucks.
there are few people that one meets in life that can't be explained;
they have such a deep profound affect on one's being that goes
beyond that particular situation.
i just read kim's message. YES!
i remember those dinner's at chez pigache. i remember all of us
laughing around the table, relaxing, gossiping in french and english.
me, kim, alison, meredith, sherry, trace, brooke, nikki, beth,
and anne-it feels like yesterday. those were definitely some of
the best moments we had!!
eliane pigache meant more to us that
we can explain to someone that wasn't on the program: she was our
friend, she protected us, and she loved us. we became her children.
most importanly, she let us be ourselves. we never had to be anything
else other than our true selves. and she accepted every single
one of us with opens arms and a mother's love.
i hope you knew
how much you meant to me.
thank you, madame pigache. i miss you.
Pamela Burton '94
So many memories of Rouen center around Mme. and Dr. Pigache. I will
not forget images of them in Tunisia, or reading Colette for the
first time. Mme. I will miss you very much!
Charlotte Boulay '00
As a teacher Elaine Pigache was tough yet caring. She pinpointed my strengths and weaknesses, working to build upon the former and eliminate the latter, giving me the confidence to achieve my goals in the program. As a woman she was tough yet caring. She was the quintessential French woman, stylish and to the point. I have to echo Dr. McHugh in saying I smile whenever I think of her and that raspy, staccato voice. She will always be a model of contagious exuberance.
Lisa Marcus Levine '83
Mme.Pigache, As your student,I fell in love with the French language.
You were an incredible teacher, your energy was endless, you were
demanding and devoted. I've never forgotten your warmth, the way
you listened with your heart. St. lawerence owes you so much. Thank
you. Mes condoléances à votre
famille
Mary Rose (Guardino) Vago '82
The year in France was one of the most significant events of my life. It opened my eyes to the world and changed me for the better. Mme Pigache was very much a part of that. She was a wonderful teacher and I was so in awe of her Frenchness and her fashion sense. I feel fortunate to have known her and I'm so sad to hear that she's gone.
Diane Doty '76
"La Mere Pigache" -- we used to call her sitting around
the dinner table complaining about her incredibly difficult literature
class - Oh that I could communicate in French now, the way that she
taught me to then. Fait de beaux reves!
Patricia Fuller '77
I was deeply saddened
to hear about Eliane's passing. She was truly
a wonderful and a very caring person. She always treated us with
a lot of respect and looked after us as we struggled to adjust and
make France our new home for the year. Her and her husband Bernard
always opened their doors to us and often invited us in their home
for dinner and other gatherings which I always looked forward to.
I will really miss Eliane. My heart goes out to Bernard and the rest
of her family. I am very sorry for your dear loss.
Kami Koleva '02
Mme. Pigache was always the heart and the soul of the Rouen program,
and her generousity of spirit was legendary amongst the students
(as was the difficulty and brilliance of her literature class). One
of my favorite memories of my time abroad is the day in Senegal when
Mme. and Docteur Pigache pretended to be my (Belgian) parents at
a marche. Afterwards, if ever I was having a problem, she was happy
to talk her "bebe" through whtever was wrong. Merci, <<Maman,>> et
tu me manque, toujours.
Kate Falzareno '01
My sincerest thoughts go out to Dr. Pigache and his family. Mme Pigache was a true gift to the program, to SLU and to the world. She has definitely left special memories in many of our hearts- as many hope to do and few can accomplish. Some of my fondest memories of my past include the France abroad program, and more importantly, Mme Pigache. Her wisdom, her smile, and genuine, honest nature was refreshing and sublime. The world has lost one of its very special gems, but through those of us lucky to know her, we shall carry on her memories, her beliefs on education and her desire to strive for excellence in all we do in life. Merci Mme Pigache. Vous etait une femme speciale pour plusieurs raisons! Ma vie est meilleure a cause de vous!
Valerie Cote '02
