Tribute Wall
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Sandra Blakely lit a candle
Monday, March 30, 2020
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Amy was a shining light as a student, a friend to her classmates, and a shining mind in love with - so fortunately for us - the Latin language. The Classics Department at Emory has sent a gift in her memory to Meals on Wheels, a charity that reflects Amy's own kindness and compassion. Please know that we mourn with you, and are so grateful that we had the chance to share her spirit.
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Mekhi George lit a candle
Saturday, March 28, 2020
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RIP my friend, and my deepest condolences to the family.
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Naman Gupta lit a candle
Friday, March 27, 2020
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Of the folks who I have had the privilege to meet during Scholar’s Weekend, Amy still resonates in my mind three years later. It is rare to to find a BBA clarinetist with a wonderful taste in classical music. It is rarer still to find someone for whom a sojourn in Ancient Rome wouldn’t be much difficulty. But to find those qualities in someone as down to earth, cheerful, and kind as Amy is the rarest of gifts.
The loss of that gift is something that still seems surreal. I can’t make up for lost time, but how I wish I could now. These words are little consolation, but my thoughts and prayers to her family. And a flight of angels sing thee to thy rest, Amy.
N.G.
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Joshua Gebhardt lit a candle
Friday, March 27, 2020
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I had the privilege and pleasure to work with Amy as her high school Latin teacher for three years. I was also her Latin quiz bowl and Academic League advisor for four years. Her sister Erica was one of my first students nearly 19 years ago. The Che family is very dear to me. I am heartbroken by Amy’s passing.
When I first met Amy as a freshman in 2013 trying out for a spot on the Certamen Latin quiz bowl team, two things about her immediately impressed me. One was her remarkable command of Roman history, which was far superior to any of her classmates. The second was her humility about this unique talent. She easily earned a spot on the team by dramatically outperforming her classmates and future teammates in a wide array of tests on Latin grammar and Roman history, culture, and mythology. Soon she effortlessly established herself as an invaluable team member by virtue not only of her wealth of knowledge, but also her maturity, unflappable dedication to the team, and charisma. She was instrumental to the team’s first place state championship victories at the New Jersey Junior Classical League State Convention.
From her sophomore year to her senior year, I had the good fortune to be Amy’s teacher for all her Latin classes. Amy was the kind of student that every teacher wants to have in their class because every class that she was in was a better class due to her presence. Every day she was 100% prepared and ready to participate. She was one of the most gifted, thoughtful, and kind students I have had the good fortune to work with. She was always eager to assist other students who struggled with the thornier aspects of Latin grammar and, given her inimitable mastery of the language and her unwavering sweetness, other students were always eager to work with her. She came to class each day with a radiant smile that I will never forget. It always seemed that there was nowhere else she would rather be. I am so proud that she continued her study of Latin at Emory where I am certain that she inspired her professors just as she inspired me.
When not in class I enjoyed just shooting the breeze with Amy. Her interests ranged far and wide and were certainly not limited to esoteric figures from Roman history that only Amy and maybe a handful of other people in the world had ever heard of. She enthusiastically followed current events, knew her ancient and modern history, and was up to date with both high and low brow culture. Looking back on it now, I recognize that I got to know Amy more from the many conversations we had during countless Latin quiz bowl practices, tournaments, club meetings, Latin conventions, and bus rides to Academic League meets than I would have had I only ever been her classroom teacher. What I remember most from these many experiences are Amy’s insatiable curiosity and her genuine kindness. When she graduated from Ridge in 2017, she was one of the students I missed most. I will never forget her.
I am an optimistic person, and my optimism is fueled in large part by the promise I see every day in my current and former students. Amy Che embodied that promise. She was a beacon of hope in these uncertain times. Inspired by her example and my memories of her, I will continue to hope for a better tomorrow.
To Amy’s parents and Erica, you have my deepest condolences.
Amy, ave atque vale.
Ex animo,
Joshua Gebhardt
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James Tate lit a candle
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
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Below is the eulogy that Erica gave at Amy's memorial service on Tuesday, March 24:
I am Amy’s older sister, Erica. As her older sister, I have been told from time to time that I am someone Amy looked up to. In a better world, she would be telling you this, at some point in the far future, in a eulogy for me. But instead, I am here now, and she isn’t. I am here now to tell you about the wonderful and amazing ways she inspired and touched those around her, to tell you about how she was a rare person with a beautiful personality and an incredible work ethic, whose light shone brightly wherever she was, to tell you why Amy was someone everyone should look up to.
My sister Amy was born on September 7, 1999, during a time of new beginnings. Our family had just moved to Basking Ridge, New Jersey, into the home that my sister would grow up in. I remember my parents played a Mozart CD for her as a baby, even when she was still in the womb, because some studies suggest babies prefer listening to Mozart, it might help with their cognitive development and it makes them happy. I like to think that her fondness for classical music started then and persisted despite having to listen to my clarinet practice almost every day when she was growing up. My sister later played the clarinet as well, enjoyed it more and was better at it than me, and continued to play the clarinet at college. The clarinet is a most versatile instrument, with one of the widest ranges of all the wind instruments, and can easily join in harmony with the rest of an ensemble or shine in a solo part. I think those that knew Amy would agree with me that these characteristics of the clarinet made it the perfect instrument for her. What you may not know is that the clarinet is the backbone of a wind symphony. You don’t always hear the clarinet, but if it is missing the whole performance would fall apart. The music just wouldn’t sound right. And that is, simply said, what our world is like now without Amy.
My sister Amy left us during a time still in the beginning of her life. She was a graduate of the Ridge High class of 2017 and was a student at Emory University, where she had earned a coveted place in the Goizueta Scholars Program and was studying to receive a combined Bachelor's of Business Administration and Master's in Professional Accounting degree and double major in Latin. She had just recently accepted an offer to join PwC’s internship program in New York, where she would have worked by Bryant Park, only a few blocks from where my husband and I work and live, and I know that the whole family was so looking forward to having her back in New York this summer. Since Amy’s passing, I have received messages from far and wide from those that knew her, whether only briefly or since childhood. The incredibly beautiful words and memories that they have shared are a testament to what a truly remarkable person my sister was. There are too many to read them all now, but particularly given that only immediate family can be here today due to circumstances beyond our control and a celebration of her life for both friends and family may not be held until later this year, I would like to read a selection of these memorials now.
[Selection of memorials]
These memorials reflect the bright future that Amy had before her and the light that she brought into the lives of those around her. The abundance of her achievements and accolades reflect her incredible brilliance and work ethic. She was an overachiever who always applied herself and went above and beyond in every endeavor. She was an intelligent and intellectually curious scholar. She was a reliable friend and a responsible team member. But above all, she was good in all the ways that really matter—she was selfless, kind, considerate and always thoughtful of others. Whether at the local public library, where she befriended and helped elderly patrons apply to jobs on the library’s computers, or at Emory University, where she supervised food recovery efforts from the dining halls to serve nearby community kitchens, or just simply at home, where she was always ready to assist my parents with cleaning and organizing the house—you could always find Amy volunteering her time to others and giving her all to the world around her. This is why she was able to touch the lives of so many people, even though her own life was cut so short.
It is touching to me that in the messages I’ve received so many have observed her good humor, which I can attest began at a young age. I remember our family trip to Hawaii ten years ago. Amy was only ten years old. We were driving along the beautiful Hana highway in Maui. Amy was telling jokes, and for some reason the one that made me laugh the most was the following. “Why did the cow cross the road?” I asked her why. She said, “to go to the moo-vies!” I don’t know why this silly cow joke made me laugh the most, or why it’s the one that I most remember. I’m not sure I would have laughed so hard if someone else had told it. Maybe it was the way she delivered it, with a wide grin and bright eyes. Maybe it was the way she moo-ed. But I will never forget this moment. It is a memory I have revisited time and again over the years and which has never failed to cheer me up. How could it be, that at that time—with blue ocean on our left, green paradise on our right, and the whole world in front of us—we would have not even ten more years together?
As my sister Amy grew, so did her humor, wit, intellect and passions. Amy was an avid student of history and especially loved learning about classical antiquity and food history. She enjoyed visiting art museums and galleries, and The Met was her favorite destination in New York. She loved French food and learning to cook her favorite dishes. I remember when she was just four years old. Our family went on a cruise with Norwegian that had “freestyle” dining, which means there are a couple restaurants to choose from on the ship. A few days in, Amy started asking for ice cream—or so we thought. It was only when we went back to the ship’s French restaurant a second time that we realized, all along, she had been trying to request the escargot she had tried for the first time earlier that week. When the movie Ratatouille came out a few years later, it became one of her favorites. In the movie, the character of Chef Gusteau says this: “You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul. What I say is true—anyone can cook... but only the fearless can be great.” Amy was fearless—fearless to try new things, fearless to face new challenges, fearless to be great and fearless to be good.
Before I conclude, I would like to read a short elegiac poem by the Roman poet Catullus. This poem, one of his most famous, is addressed to his brother, who passed prematurely. I will read the Latin first and then offer a translation.
Multās per gentēs et multa per aequora Vectus
adveniō hās miserās, frāter, ad īnferiās,
ut tē postrēmō dōnārem mūnere mortis
et mūtam nequīquam alloquerer cinerem
quandōquidem fortūna mihi tētē abstulit ipsum
heu miser indignē frāter adempte mihi
nunc tamen intereā haec, prīscō quae mōre parentum
trādita sunt tristī mūnere ad īnferiās,
accipe frāternō multum mānantia flētū.
Atque in perpetuum, frāter, avē atque vale.
This poem is notorious for being difficult to translate. The words themselves are not difficult to translate, but profound sorrow is difficult to put into the right words. This is a plain, simple translation:
Carried through many nations and over many seas,
I arrive, brother, at these miserable funeral rites,
That I may give the last gifts to the dead,
And speak in vain to silent ash,
Since fortune has stolen you, your self, away from me.
Alas, poor brother, so cruelly taken from me.
Now, nevertheless, receive these sad gifts to the grave,
handed down in the ancient manner of ancestors,
drenched with the many tears of a brother.
And forever, brother, hail and farewell.
I will just say a few more words. I am taken back to a memory of helping my parents choose a name for Amy when she was just about to enter this world. Her name is the English variation of the French name Aimée, which is derived from the Latin name Amata. It means “beloved.” I thought it would be fitting, and I was right. To me, Amy will always be my baby sister. To my parents, I know that she will be their guardian angel now. Amy, my sister, you will always be dearly loved. We will carry you in our hearts forever.
Thank you.
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Christine Shen lit a candle
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
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Priyanka Desai lit a candle
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
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Greg Marx uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
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I had the privilege of having Amy as one of my closest friends.
We met the Summer after freshman year, studying abroad in London. After the school-organized dinner the first night, Amy and I were inseparable. We had class together and planned out every minute of day, making sure we got the most out of the experience. When I say “we” planned it, I mean Amy planned it. She was incredibly organized, mapping distances, comparing prices, checking reviews, all while excelling in class. Amy really was a marvel.
She also planned our entire trip to Scotland while in London. The hotel, the train ride, the sites to see- all Amy. And she did an amazing job. I will remember that trip forever, thanks to her.
After spending so much time together over that Summer, I thought she would have been tired of me. I was incredibly pleasantly surprised when the first day back on campus she agreed to join several friends and me for dinner. Amy and I shared two classes that semester. When I found the classes challenging, Amy found ways to explain the information. No question seemed too daunting for her. She was the textbook definition of a scholar.
I will miss Amy everyday.
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Jessica Dembicer lit a candle
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
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Amy and I became close through the MPA program. When I first met Amy, I was in awe of her curiosity and passion for learning, so naturally I sat next to her in every class. She was a great influence to all of us in the accounting program.
Amy was a great classmate, but an even better friend. Our jokes helped relieve us from the stress of classes, and I’ll always remember how much we laughed together. Hanging out with Amy always brought so much light into my life, even on the darkest days. I am heartbroken and devastated that Amy has passed. Amy left such an impact on my life and I’ll miss her so much. My deepest condolences to her family.
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Annie Zhao lit a candle
Monday, March 23, 2020
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Amy was always so fun spirited and brightened up any room. I remember when we played in elementary school, she taught me how to blow bubbles with my hands at the sink and we play and laugh for hours. She had the same energy through high school. Having band and math class with her, I could always count on her laughs to bring a smile to my day. We'd joke about the most random things and draw doodles on each other's papers. It was her humor that got me through those hard times and I will always cherish that.
We will all miss your liveliness and your presence will stay with us forever.
~Annie and the Zhao Family
Austin Gao lit a candle
Monday, March 23, 2020
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I was lucky enough to be able to play clarinet alongside Amy from grades 5-12. Although neither of us were great musicians, for eight solid years, and in four different bands, I was able to listen to her incredibly sharp jokes, and her absolutely hilarious imitations of some of our teachers.
I remember how we shared our sheet music. Before concerts I would give her a little grimace, and she would in turn give me a little smile knowing full well that I had definitely lost my sheet music, while placing her own on the stand. Amy saved me, so many times, from the ire of our band director, which I'll always be grateful for.
In senior year, our director gave her a really difficult solo, with a complex rhythm and incredibly high range. I remember how awestruck I was when she performed it during our concert -- with immense determination, concentration, and confidence, the result of countless hours of practice.
She was kind, witty, and confident, and had a deep impact on her closest friends and confidants, as well as everyone who was lucky enough to feel her warmth. I hope the angels in heaven feel her warmth too.
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John Omolade lit a candle
Monday, March 23, 2020
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Gabe Hart lit a candle
Monday, March 23, 2020
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James Tate lit a candle
Monday, March 23, 2020
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Suqun Zhang lit a candle
Sunday, March 22, 2020
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Claire Zhang lit a candle
Sunday, March 22, 2020
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Xiaojin lit a candle
Sunday, March 22, 2020
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gaby blade posted a condolence
Sunday, March 22, 2020
I am absolutely devastated by the loss of Amy. I met Amy at the beginning of this school year after being assigned a random roommate. Meeting her for the first time, I was immediately struck by her quiet intelligence and quick humor.
Amy was so much more than just a roommate to me. As the year progressed, we quickly became close friends. Amy always embraced any impromptu adventure or any strange netflix show I proposed. Over the past year we made countless memories together that I will cherish forever, whether that be ordering takeout, experimenting together in the kitchen or watching documentaries. Through it all, Amy was always there with some witty remark. Amy was a selfless friend, the type to bring me chocolate when I was feeling down and always remembering gifts on holidays. I will forever cherish these acts of kindness.
More than just a friend, Amy acted as a great academic inspiration. In both her Latin and Business classes, Amy was deeply committed. It always seemed like she was studying for something. Living with Amy encouraged me to work hard in my classes. Amy had a clear vision of what she wanted for her future, and worked with intensity to bring it to fruition. With her advice and encouragement, I too began to focus more on my future. I owe much of my success in getting an internship this summer to Amy. In my time at Emory, I have not met someone more fueled by ambition and dedication than Amy.
Amy was an amazing roommate and friend. I am so so deeply saddened and shocked by this loss. My deepest love and condolences to her family.
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Judith Evans Grubbs posted a condolence
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Amy took four classes with me (one in medieval Latin, three in Roman history), and she shone in all of them. She was one of the best students I have ever had in more than 30 years of teaching, and a delightful human being as well. Her death is devastating and a great loss to all. My deepest condolences to her family. I will be making a donation to our local food bank in Amy's name.
Judith Evans Grubbs (Prof. of Roman History at Emory)
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Karen Sedatole posted a condolence
Sunday, March 22, 2020
On behalf of the Accounting Area faculty at the Goizueta Business School, I offer my sincerest condolences to the family of Amy Che.
It is clear that those instructors lucky enough to have taught Amy, learned from her as well. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
Please let us know if there is any assistance we can provide during this very difficult time.
Sincerely,
Karen Sedatole
Accounting Area Coordinator
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Natalie Vanderbilt lit a candle
Saturday, March 21, 2020
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I am stunned and so sorry about Amy.
Such a beautiful spirit
I love you all and I am so sorry for your loss.
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Hannah lit a candle
Saturday, March 21, 2020
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Sending thoughts and prayers to Amy’s family. So sorry for this devastating loss
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Allison Burdette posted a condolence
Saturday, March 21, 2020
While I first met Amy as a potential Scholar, all I remember about her is that she had a book with her. That book was the “tell” Amy was truly a scholar. I would learn that over and over again during the next years as I got to know Amy very well. She was the scholar that showed up to Seminar with the book already read. But I will miss her more as a friend and my co-worker. It was just about 1 year ago today that she was voluntarily helping me collate grades on my International Business Law exams. No, she had not taken I-law. But, yes, she was already able to help me review and grade the exams ... because she was awesomely curious.
Even though Amy seriously had no time last fall because she was a double major in Latin (LATIN!) and in business, I still asked her to TA for my business law course. She would cover the late-time exam review in my office, and she would work on Latin. Sometimes she would just set up camp in my office and study Latin. I would dodge in for a moment and tease her about her Latin. She would be memorizing 100 lines of Latin. I cannot even imagine memorizing one line. But she did it, she was brilliant.
In addition to her Latin major, Amy chose to major in accounting this past fall. I was so excited to have her in the accounting department. I knew that she would excel at it. When I described Amy to my daughter who works as an accountant, my daughter said: “oh, she is smart, curious, responsible, gets things done right; wow, she is going to get a job in a snap.” And she did. One interview, one job. PWC knew what she could do.
She and I worked on a project to try and get Emory’s Campus Design team to make the cross over between the campus and the Business School less ugly and more inviting. Befitting a scholar, Amy dove deep into the study of design before approaching Emory administration. Last summer in New York she visited and took notes on plazas and public spaces. And while she managed to get in front of different administrators, her work was for naught. In contrast to my rants, Amy handled these setbacks with her typical sanguinity. She would give me a half smile … “Burdette…”
The world needs Amy. The world will always be less because Amy is not in it. I'm sorry for me. I'm sorry for the Che family. I’m sorry for Emory. I'm sorry for the world. The beautiful scarf that she gave me will remain draped on the back of my new sofa. Without ever having seem my sofa, Amy was able to gift me a scarf that matched it perfectly. A reminder of her love and generosity and kindness.
As I have been processing my deep sorrow at Amy’s passing, I have been listening again and again to a recording of my brother Kevin singing the Christian hymn Jerusalem. In my religious tradition, Jerusalem has meaning not as a geographic space but as an ideal, a hope, a prayer for a better world. A place where kind and good young people like Amy do not die. A place where young scholars are allowed to continue to flourish and study. A place where my student, my co-worker, my confidante, my project-partner does not pass away before her time. There is no Jerusalem for us today, just a deep, deep sorrow. I will miss you Amy.
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Cassandra Casias lit a candle
Saturday, March 21, 2020
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I am so sorry for your devastating loss. I recognize her, especially her smile, from the hallways of the Classics Department. I hope that you're able to take some comfort in each other during this difficult time.
In your wonderful daughter's (and sister's) memory, I am donating to the Sportula, a student-led fund that gives grants to low-income and marginalized Classics students.
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Sanjay posted a condolence
Saturday, March 21, 2020
I am so very sorry for your loss. Amy was an amazing leader/member of the Goizueta Scholar and even broader Emory community. We will all miss her and keep her in our memory going forward.
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Georgia Kossoff posted a condolence
Saturday, March 21, 2020
I'm so grateful to have had Amy as part of our Goizueta Scholars group. So smart and kind and dedicated. She left an incredible impact on our entire community.
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Tian Chan lit a candle
Saturday, March 21, 2020
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I am very sorry for your loss. Amy was a great student in my process and systems management class. We will all miss her.
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Honggang Min posted a condolence
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Amy was in my group a couple of semesters ago at Emory Food Chain, where we delivered food every week to people and communities in need. She dedicated herself to this noble cause and I am sorry for this tragic loss.
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Allison Burdette uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, March 21, 2020
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Amy and Chris at Libby Egnor's Scholarsgiving Dinner
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Allison Burdette uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, March 21, 2020
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Scholars Dinner at Burdette's House Fall 2019
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usha rackliffe lit a candle
Saturday, March 21, 2020
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Miss Amy was such a darling student - my tax class will never be the same. We at the Goizueta Business School will miss her forever. Our world has gotten so much dimmer.
Usha Rackliffe
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Janany Subra and Annie Kuo lit a candle
Saturday, March 21, 2020
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Sending love to Amy's family. She was brilliant and kind.
We will miss her.
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Farhan Hossain lit a candle
Saturday, March 21, 2020
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I first met Amy when we started working together on consulting projects. She immediately struck me as one of the smartest people I had ever met. Her passion for making a change in this world was also unparalleled. My heart goes out to her family.
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Tamara Vanderbilt-Tate purchased flowers
Saturday, March 21, 2020
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The family of Amy Che uploaded a photo
Thursday, March 19, 2020
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