We are deeply saddened by the loss of our distinguished colleague, Professor JeanAnn Dabb, who died early this morning after a long illness. JeanAnn was called to the faculty in 1992 after receiving her Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Michigan. As a medievalist, her early work focused on the Church of Saint-Nicholas at Civray. Her engagement with romanesque architecture and sculpture led to rich and wide ranging scholarship on mosaics, an art in which she herself was skilled.
JeanAnn was a wonderful colleague and teacher. We officially acknowledged this fact in 2009 when she won the Mary W. Pinschmidt award that recognized not just the quality of her teaching, but also her generous collaborations with numerous students and colleagues. She undertook several terms as Chair of the Department of Art and Art History, a role she carried out with the combination of conscientiousness and graciousness for which she was universally admired.
As Professor Carole Garmon has indicated, there will later be a tribute to JeanAnn at the University Galleries. However, I am sure that at this time your thoughts are with her family, friends, students, and close colleagues.
Sincerely,
Richard Finkelstein
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
University of Mary Washington
JeanAnn was a rare kind of person and her passing has left a huge hole in our hearts and our family but we know she is at peace and has no more pain. It bring us much comfort to know how much the rest of the world loved her and will miss her too. Be kind, be generous and be thoughtful just like she was.