We remember...
Catalina Garcia
At just twenty years young, Catalina Garcia was a wonderful young woman with a heart of gold. Cathy's dream to become an elementary school teacher was not only perfect for her personality, but fit well with her love for children, arts and crafts, and recreational sports. Cathy was your ideal student while in high school in her hometown of Cicero and at Northern Illinois University. When Cathy was not helping others or traveling to her favorite places like Barreras, Mexico, and Washington DC, she was earning awards like Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance, and Student of the Month. At NIU, Catalina was active in the Latino Resource Center, and as an at-home worker for Carson's. In high school, Cathy was involved in many after-school activities, and continued even into college by becoming part of the Mujer a Mujer Mentoring Program. There she formed relationships with other Latina Women and created bonds through mentoring. Catalina was an extraordinary girl and will be remembered for her eagerness to help others, love of the color pink, and her smile.
Julianna Gehant
Julianna will be best remembered for her courageous outlook on life. As a member of the United States Army, Julianna would often return to her hometown high school, Mendota High School, as an Army Recruiter. Her dream of becoming a second-grade teacher after graduation from Northern Illinois University went hand-in-hand with her love for children and her ability to always offer a smile or a helping hand. Julianna lit up every room she walked into and was known by friends and family as smart, kind, and conscientious. Her love for country music and ballroom dancing led this elementary education major to be an important part of NIU Veterans Club's history. Julianna's life can be smiled upon as a glorious gift to all of whom she had known and met.
Gayle Dubowski
Where there was a question, Gayle had an answer. Gayle was a good writer and a great thinker. She was an active participant in the classroom and was an outstanding Anthropology student. Gayle will be remembered for her love for singing and reading, but more importantly, for her beliefs and passion for her faith. Gayle was a huge part of her church on campus and at home in Carol Stream, where she set a positive example for others. Gayle's friends and family meant the world to her and she showed the appreciation by knitting gifts for them. On facebook, Gayle is remembered by friends as “sincere, joyful, and sweet." Gayle will be forever in the hearts of her NIU family as the bright, young, family-oriented, student who had a love for riding her bike and presenting herself with child-like joy.
Ryanne Mace
If you weren't smiling, then you were not in the same room as Ryanne. Without fail, Ryanne lit up the entire room and will be remembered as funny, outgoing, loving, and just a 'good kid.' This Carpentersville native was studying psychology to be a counselor. Her love for helping others, French, music, and reading led Ryanne to be the perfect candidate to give advice and listen to friends' problems. Teachers describe her as being highly-motivated, friendly, and open-minded. Her father remarks that "She was level-headed and smart." Ryanne was involved with her community during high school participating in Peer Jury, where she assisted juvenile delinquents in making better life decisions. Always a great leader, Ryanne will be remembered as the girl who was going places, and the one who was there to listen no matter what.
Daniel Parmenter
Fellow classmates at Dan's high school, York in Elmhurst, remember Dan as a great student. Dan was an honors student, a magnificent football player, and a superb role model. Dan continued his leadership at NIU as a member of Pi Kappa Alpha (Pikes) and as a student worker for the NIU newspaper, the Northern Star. Friends and classmates remember Dan as considerate and always bearing a happy face. He was a great student majoring in finance and a hard worker. Dan is remembered by friends and family for "his intelligence, his honesty, his common sense, his strong work ethic and his curiosity about learning new and different things." Daniel will be missed greatly and all of his successes will forever be remembered. To quote The Daily Illini, his local newspaper, "You're a Good Man, Dan Parmenter."
NIU Foundation
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