In Memoriam
Irina Grigorescu Pană (1948-2022)
We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague, Professor Emerita Irina Grigorescu Pană, who passed away yesterday. Professor Pană was born on February 25, 1948, in Bucharest, and taught at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia and at the University of Bucharest, in the English Department. She was the author of many academic publications that reflected her interest in English-language literatures, comparative literature, and literary theory. She excelled at teaching all of these and other related subjects, but she also wrote fiction and was a member of the Writers’ Union of Romania. She was also one of the founding members of the Romanian Association for American Studies. As a professor, she will always be remembered not only for her remarkable intelligence and finesse, but also for her kindness to her students. Her classes were friendly spaces where intellectual curiosity was greatly encouraged and where her patience and generosity created a warm atmosphere that allowed for dialogue and discovery. As a colleague, she was always supportive and resourceful, and her wit and laid-back sense of humor will be sorely missed.
Rest in peace, Professor Pană. Your memory is a blessing to your former students, colleagues, and to your loving family, who is also in our thoughts. Through us, your presence endures.
