She said that her students were her children, and I am one of her youngest. Everyone loved her; towards the end,
many of her children flew from all over the country to spend time with her. Even though we didn't know each
other, we shared a common love for Margrit and instantly formed a community. This community, which included her
students, colleagues, and friends, acted as a support group for one another, sharing anecdotes of our time with
her.
Margrit took me under her wing five years ago and supported and taught me many things, both inside and outside
academia. I will carry her teachings with me for the rest of my life, and I hope to emulate even a fraction of
the empathy and enthusiasm she had for her students when I join academia. She will always be the benchmark not
only of an academic but also of a human.
Working with Margrit was always a joy. I had the privilege of collecting some ecological research data with her
at her friend's place last year. That day was the most fun I have had conducting research in five years. We got
to see her geek out at the flora in the forest. We learned that day that Margrit was also an expert in botany!
I know she loved singing and music; we often talked about how important they are as a mechanism for coping with
life's downturns. Last year, she gave me her old guitar and told me to restore and use it. That guitar will
forever be the most cherished one in my collection.
I understand how difficult it must be to lose someone as special as Margrit. I hope that our shared anecdotes
and memories bring some joy and comfort during these challenging times.
Love,
Mahir