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We collectively mourn the loss of Dr. Corinne Ondine Pache, Professor of Classical Studies and a cherished member of the Trinity University community, who ended her battle with cancer on July 20, 2022. Corinne was an accomplished scholar, revered teacher and mentor, and terrific friend to many all over the globe. She will be sorely missed.
By her own account, Corinne was, in some ways, an accidental classicist. Originally from Lausanne, Switzerland, she enrolled in her twenties as a first-generation undergraduate at Hunter College in New York City and-like so many others before her-took a classics course on a whim. At Hunter, she fell in love with the classical languages, especially ancient Greek. Her intellectual pursuits then took her to Harvard for a doctorate, with research on archaic Greek poetry and religion. Her first professorship, at Yale University, saw the publication of her book on child heroes in ancient Greece; from Yale she moved to Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and published her second major work on Greek religion on the complex topic of "nympholepsy" - the assault of mortal men by goddesses. For much of the 2010s, Corinne labored on what would be her magnum opus: the monumental and invaluable Cambridge Guide to Homer (2020), the result of many years of editing, people-wrangling, and sheer scholarship. Throughout these volumes and her many articles-including such far-flung topics as Virgilian echoes in Battlestar Galactica-Corinne brought to bear her customary acumen, literary sensibility, and graceful style.
Since her arrival at Trinity in 2009, Corinne seemed somehow ubiquitous, with stints as acting chair, as Senator, as a First Year Experience coordinator, and more: Corinne never shied from heavy lifting, and colleagues found her a delight to work with in all of her administrative capacities. Students adored her - she innovated several courses, including the popular social history course Daily Life in Ancient Greece. She was also instrumental in setting up one of Trinity's first Humanities Labs, dedicated to the early manuscript tradition of Homer, while often sending students for additional training at Harvard's Center for Hellenic Studies, where she was a frequent collaborator. It was in her two upper-division courses that Corinne worked in her most comparative vein: Epic Journeys examined narratives of travel and growth from a variety of cultures while The Homeric Odyssey plumbed the influence of Homer's epic on subsequent artists, from James Joyce to Alison Bechdel to Derek Walcott. Corinne overflowed with a love of books-not unlike her office and home!-and that passion overflowed into her classroom as well. A student once gushed: "I want to take a class with Dr. Pache every semester for my entire college career!" It's a sentiment shared by many (and for a lucky few, a wish come true).
Corinne was an amazing friend and colleague. She took the Epicurean exhortation of "carpe diem" (seize the day) more seriously than anyone since Horace, and she made certain that her friends did too. Her passion for travel and adventure, for cuisine, for long walks in beautiful places, for summer afternoons at the pool, for a wide range of music and art, for tending her olive and lemon trees, and quiet evenings at home with her cats: all of these were part of her, and to spend time with Corinne was to spend time with a soul deeply attuned to the beauty and joy the world has to offer. Corinne never ceased wanting to learn, from Spanish irregular verbs to challenging piano pieces to a meditation technique that was new to her. She was a vibrant and beloved member of diverse social circles, meeting regularly with friends to taste wine, read and discuss great books, eat and discuss great meals, hike and explore new corners of her adopted Texas home, watch movies, cycle, practice yoga, lift weights, and dance Zumba. She was also profoundly concerned with helping others in the community, volunteering her language skills to help welcome Congolese asylum seekers. And she was a devoted friend to any feline lucky enough to cross her path, working enthusiastically with the Trinity Cat Alliance and her own brood of kitties, Oliver, Lenny and Jo.
Corinne is survived by family in Switzerland, including her mother, Mireille Dolay, and her brother, Phillipe Pache, as well as her nephew and niece, Bryan and Lea Pache. She was rich in her vast circle of loving friends, including Kathryn Slanski; George Syrimis; Tom Jenkins; Anna Stavrakopoulou; Adele Haft and Jordan Zinovich; Judith Norman; Lisa Jasinski and Patrick Keating; Tim O'Sullivan and Anadelia Romo; Bill and Barbara Sullivan; David Rando and Shannon Mariotti; Andrew Kania and Julie Post; Patti Hale; Julie LeBrun; Nicolle Hirschfeld; Alexander Beecroft and David Greven; Alison Marek; Sulochana Asirvatham; Stephen Colvin; Susanna Braund; Ronnie Ancona; Nicole Durish Gauthier; Corinne Béguin ; Katherine Wasdin; Gregory Nagy; and many, many others.
A celebration of Corinne's life is planned for later this fall in San Antonio. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to donate in Corinne's honor may consider The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES), which provides aid and support to immigrant families; or the San Antonio Humane Society.
We all struggle with this senseless loss and take comfort in knowing that Corinne lived life to the brim -and taught so many to do likewise. Sit tibi terra levis: may the earth lie lightly upon you, Corinne. We remain in perpetual gratitude for your life, learning, and legacy.
67 Entries
January 10, 2024
Friend
Marsha McCoy
I only learned about Corinne's illness at the recent meeting of the Society for Classical Studies in Chicago, when I ran into a Trinity University colleague of hers and asked about her. I was shocked to hear of her untimely passing and have such sweet memories of her. We knew each other at Yale, where she was teaching and I was a graduate student. I would occasionally pass classrooms where she was teaching and see her in there hunched over a text talking intently with her rapt students. We lived near each other in the East Rock neighborhood of New Haven, so I would often greet her walking into Yale, or just walking; we both loved to walk in our beautiful area. Once we both went with a group to hear a rock band play at a small, dark, dingy venue in New Haven. The music was deafening, but we all had a great time. She was always a pleasure to talk with, and always had something thoughtful and interesting to say. She was a warm, vibrant friend and I will miss her very much.
I send my sincere and profound condolences to her family. We will never forget her.
January 29, 2023
School
Maxime Blanchard
Je m'appelle Maxime Blanchard. Corinne Pache a été ma tutrice de latin quand j'étais étudiant de doctorat. Elle était aussi étudiante de doctorat. Pendant deux semestres, je l'ai rencontrée une fois par semaine dans un café sur le campus, le Gato Rojo. Elle était patiente, gentille et drôle. Je pense à elle chaque fois que je déchiffre une inscription latine. Je n'imagine pas sa disparition. Mes condoléances les plus attristées à sa famille et à ses proches.
October 4, 2022
America Calamaco
You see this hair and you already know it´s Corinne! Man, you will always be one of my favorite clients. Always on time, every 8 weeks, for about 5 years. I loved the stores we would share of our adventures. And I sure will miss seeing you walk up to your appointment. Thank you for your years of loyalty. You are deeply missed.
September 16, 2022
Friend
Susanna Braund
September 16, 2022
Friend
Susanna Braund
September 16, 2022
Friend
Susanna Braund
It was hard to learn about Corinne's death when I didn't even know she was ill. But maybe that is typical of her, not to burden others and always to smile and press on. I have only the best memories of Corinne as a colleague and a friend. We were hired at Yale in the same year (2000) and became fast friends very quickly. We both loved the Indian diner on College St in New Haven and we loved going to movies. We also loved animals, me dogs, Corinne cats. We had great conversations into the evenings and my late husband Adam adored Corinne. I left Yale in 2004 but we kept in touch and visited one another through the years. I attach a 2013 photo of Corinne looking a little tentative around my two pugs on my sofa on Bowen Island, BC, Canada. I will never forget my visit to San Antonio later that year. Corinne and I rented bikes and cycled down the river to visit the missions, then we walked the riverwalk in the city - so European - and went to see the movie "Gravity" with 3D effects. On emerging we could hardly find our feet on the sidewalk and we were suddenly surrounded by zombies walking the streets of San Antonio. (I guess it was Halloween...) A very surreal experience! I feel especially blessed by her beautiful essay on female friendship in Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels which appeared in the Festschrift presented to me by Toph Marshall in 2021. I suppose this was one of her final pieces. Corinne's scholarship was brilliant and her views of the interplay of past and present affected me profoundly. I feel a deep loss but I will always admire her beautiful smile and quiet gentleness. It was a huge privilege to have known Corinne.
August 28, 2022
Friend
Nicole
August 28, 2022
Friend
Nicole
Corinne. Merci pour tes visites régulières que j'attendais avec joie comme le passage des oiseaux migrateurs, merci pour tes belles lettres écrites avec grâce et humour. Le souvenir de ta personnalité lumineuse et intense restera pour toujours gravé dans mon coeur. Affectueusement
August 16, 2022
School
Richard Tarrant
I am deeply saddened by the news of Corinne's death-Corinne, who was always so full of life and joy. Her legacy will live on above all in the many people whose lives she touched and brightened.
August 16, 2022
School
Kevin McGrath ...
Farewell, dear Friend ...
August 13, 2022
Friend
Fatima Meyer de Stadelhofen
Tu es une superbe personne et je suis très heureuse de t´avoir rencontrée. Chaque année on a l´habitude de te voir à Lausanne grâce à ton mail qui nous avertit de ton séjour en suisse tu nous manques Corrine . Soit heureuse là où tu es on t´aime très fort
August 13, 2022
Family
Virginie
Des retrouvailles trop courtes. On aurait aimé avoir le temps de partager encore des fondues chaque été lors de tes visites...
August 12, 2022
Friend
Jordan Zinovich
August 12, 2022
Friend
Jordan Zinovich
August 12, 2022
Friend
Jordan Zinovich
August 12, 2022
Friend
Jordan Zinovich
I couldn't bring myself to write this earlier. Dear Corinne, you embodied our hope for the future and I miss you more than I can say.
To all you family and other friends I offer my heartfelt shared condolences.
August 12, 2022
Family
Lea
August 12, 2022
Family
Lea
August 12, 2022
Family
Lea
Merci pour ces belles années, ces beaux voyages et ces partages autour de notre passion pour les chats, les films et les livres. Tu as toujours été un role model et tu continueras à l´être.
August 12, 2022
Family
Lea
August 12, 2022
Family
Lea
August 12, 2022
Family
Lea
Merci pour toutes ces belles années, ces beaux voyages, pour nos partages autour notre passion pour les chats, les films et les livres. Tu as toujours été un role model et tu continueras de l´être.
August 10, 2022
Family
Florence Pache
August 10, 2022
Family
Florence Pache
August 10, 2022
Family
Florence Pache
Je suis heureuse et honorée d´avoir eu le privilège de partager des moments lumineux et heureux avec toi, durant nos voyages en commun aux USA et lors de tes séjours réguliers en Suisse, en compagnie de ta maman, ton frère, Bryan et Lea. Ces souvenirs resteront à jamais gravés dans ma mémoire.
Continue à rayonner comme tu l´as toujours fait de là où tu es
August 9, 2022
Family
Maman
August 9, 2022
Family
Maman
August 9, 2022
Family
Maman
Merci pour tes sourires qui resteront toujours dans mon coeur. Je t´aime
August 3, 2022
Family
Philippe
J'aurais voulu pouvoir encore te dire à quelle point je suis fier de toi, de ta personnalité et de ton parcours dans la vie.
J'aurais aimé pouvoir encore faire des super voyages, manger des fondues et boire du bon vin avec toi.
Tu vas me manquer, je t'aime sister
August 2, 2022
Friend
Nicole et Jacques-Antoine
RIP Chère Corinne
En souvenir des jours rieurs et complices.
With love
August 1, 2022
School
Lucius
I only got to take one semester with Dr. Pache, but I can without a doubt say that she left her mark and easily solidified her place as my favorite professor. She was so passionate about the subjects she taught, and I was very much looking forward to taking many more of her classes. She gifted me a copy of "The Odyssey" with a translation she enjoyed, and I am thankful I get the chance to read it even if I can't learn more from her. Rest in peace, Dr. Pache.
July 31, 2022
Friend
Corinne
dernière rencontre à Brooklyn 2017
July 31, 2022
CORINNE
souvenirs NYC 1993
July 31, 2022
Friend
Corinne
Aujourd'hui quelle tristesse! Heureusement de grandes pages de souvenirs joyeux nous accompagnent avec ton rire. Quelle chance de t'avoir connue! Merci pour ton amitié.
Corinne, Pierre et Apolline
July 29, 2022
Adele J. Haft, Emerita Professor of Classics, Hunter College, City Universi
Gentle, graceful, generous, gloriously-gifted, you leave us far behind and far too soon.
You leave us fond memories, your scholarly voice, and your radiant guide to the art of living and dying.
May you swim free among the stars, Corinne Ondine....
July 29, 2022
Adele
Corinne in Bryant Park, behind the New York Public Library on 6th Avenue and 42nd Street, July 2011
July 29, 2022
Adele
Corinne and "Little E" at the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, British Columbia, 2018
July 29, 2022
Adele
Adele, Jordan and Corinne, Ruby City (art museum), San Antonio, 2019
July 29, 2022
Adele
Jordan and Corinne, Día de Muertos/ Day of the Dead, San Antonio, 2019
July 29, 2022
Adele
Corinne and Adele, Brooklyn Promenade, 2011
July 29, 2022
School
Rebeca Hays
Dr. Pache was one of my favorite teachers at Trinity! I took a class with her nearly every semester as she just brightened everyday! She encouraged this accounting major to double major in classical studies, which I did, and will forever be thankful for! If it wasn´t for Dr. Pache´s Every Day Life in Ancient Greece I would have probably never fallen in love with the classics as I have. I will always remember Dr. Pache for her overwhelming kindness, patience, and genuine care and consideration for each one of her students. I am beyond saddened to hear of her untimely death, this world has lost a truly beautiful light. But her legacy will live on in all those she met and taught throughout her life!
I actually visited Trinity the summer before covid to show my husband my alma mater, and I was so happy to find Dr. Pache in her office, we got to catch up on old times and new times, I am so thankful for that last brief meeting and will forever cherish every memory of her.
Rest In Peace Dr. Pache, your light will never fade!
All my love,
Rebeca
July 29, 2022
Friend
Justin
July 29, 2022
Friend
Justin
July 29, 2022
Friend
Justin
July 29, 2022
Friend
Justin
July 29, 2022
School
Nicholas Swift
I wasn't in touch with Corinne, so I'm shocked by this news and deeply saddened. As a graduate student, I spent a summer reading the Odyssey with her at the Center for Hellenic Studies. It was a formative experience for me and her influence still resonates in my own reading and teaching. I'll remember her as a great teacher and a very kind person. My condolences to her friends and family.
July 28, 2022
Judith
July 28, 2022
Judith
July 28, 2022
Judith
July 28, 2022
Judith
I miss her very much.
July 28, 2022
Friend
Ana
Corinne was my role model--for how to lift more weights at the gym, worry less, and live more fully. She had more left to teach me and I will miss her in all different ways and in all different places. She was so good at living and it is hard to know that her time was up. I still don't know how she remained so optimistic in the face of so many difficulties and such a long fight with cancer. Her steady cheer is very missed.
July 28, 2022
Friend
Thomas
July 28, 2022
Friend
Thomas
July 28, 2022
Friend
Thomas
July 28, 2022
Friend
Thomas
This loss is heartbreaking. Requiescat in pace, Corinne! (Have uploaded pix of nature -- and food shopping!)
July 27, 2022
School
Meg McDonald
Dr. Pache and her Fall 2020 Elementary Greek II class dressed up for Halloween. We miss you
July 27, 2022
Nicolle Hirschfeld
Too soon. I hate it that you are gone but I take comfort in how fully you lived. Memories only of laughter and experiences embraced or dreamed up and then made to happen. Deep sadness overwhelms just now, but your zest for living will infect me again.
July 27, 2022
Friend
Alison Marek
July 27, 2022
Friend
Alison Marek
July 27, 2022
Friend
Alison Marek
July 27, 2022
Friend
Alison Marek
Thank you for this beautiful tribute. Corinne, your friends are all heartbroken. We will miss you for the rest of our lives. Photos: Corinne with my dog Lily, Dec 2022; With fellow-Hunter alumna Jennifer Ortega, Fiesta 2011; With Prof. Sue Weinberg, Hunter College Graduation, 1996. Corinne! you never changed! xxxx
July 27, 2022
Vicki
July 27, 2022
Vicki
July 27, 2022
Vicki
July 27, 2022
Vicki
July 27, 2022
Vicki
We miss her.
July 26, 2022
Jeffrey L Locke
We miss you, Corinne. We admired you greatly, and we regret your untimely passing.
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