In Memoriam

Nancy Gobatto

Nancy Gobatto — 1975-2016

Women’s and Gender Studies faculty and staff are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague. Nancy died suddenly on Saturday, August 13, 2016.

For many students, Nancy was the face of Women’s and Gender Studies. She touched the lives of all majors and hundreds of others. For 10 years, she taught our large introductory course, Women in Canadian Society, Feminist Theories, and a number of other courses. Her intellectual interest in Cultural Studies and her love of poetry enriched her feminist vision. Nancy was a talented lecturer who delighted students with her unique blend of academic explication and personal anecdote. She made students laugh as she guided their learning. Students at all levels describe Nancy as funny, enthusiastic, compassionate, and caring. Her passing will be felt acutely by the many teaching assistants she mentored over the years.

Nancy was deeply committed to feminist education and its promise of social justice. She retained her love of learning and was excited when students shared this passion. Nothing delighted her more than receiving a pile of new books. Nancy had a keen interest in curriculum development and was particularly enthusiastic about developing and teaching her new course, Being Heard: Advocacy from the Margins. Students and faculty alike have benefitted from her many contributions to the growth and development of Women’s and Gender Studies.

Nancy graduated with her M.A. in English and Creative Writing from the University of Windsor and continued her education in the Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies PhD program at York University. She is survived by her life-partner, Katie Thompson, her mother, Margaret, her sister and brother, Mandy and Jeff and their families. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.

Those whose lives have been touched by Nancy are invited to post their memories and tributes to the Women’s and Gender Studies Facebook Memorial page.

The Nancy Gobatto Fund

Women’s and Gender Studies is creating a fund in honour of Nancy.

Contributions will support our Walls to Bridges project, which we plan to launch in September 2017.

Walls to Bridges offers university education to criminalized and otherwise marginalized inpiduals.  The fund will offer bursaries for course materials and other expenses that would limit access.  For more information about the Walls to Bridges program of which WGST will be a part, visit wallstobridges.ca.

If you wish to make an online contribution, visit the University's donation page. Please indicate that your gift is in honour of Nancy Gobatto and directed to The Nancy Gobatto Fund (see below).

Thank you for supporting our tribute to Nancy.

donation page