GPSS IN THE NEWS
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GRIEGO'S FRIENDS, FAMILY RECALL HER AS CARING, GIVING
Source: Seattle Times
Author: Nick Perry
Date: May 01, 2007
Andrew Bjorn always imagined he'd grow old with his friend Rebecca Griego — that one day she'd be an "elegant octogenarian" talking to him about rest homes.
"She's really one of those friends you meet once in a lifetime, and I really thought it would be for a lifetime," said an emotional Bjorn during a memorial service for Griego on Monday at the University of Washington.
Griego, 26, was shot and killed on April 2 by her ex-boyfriend-turned-stalker Jonathan Rowan in the UW's Gould Hall, where she worked as a program coordinator for the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies. Rowan then killed himself.
Griego, originally from Colorado, graduated from the UW with a bachelor's degree in economics in 2004.
About 250 friends and colleagues attended Monday's service, as did Griego's brother and sister, parents and other family members.
UW President Mark Emmert told the gathering that while the circumstances surrounding Griego's death had been shocking to the university community, Monday's event was a time to honor her life.
He said others had described Griego, whom he didn't know personally, as a mentor, manager and researcher — and the glue that held the real-estate program together.
Griego's friends recalled a woman who was often private and guarded but who also was sweet, poised and professional. She selflessly helped those around her and brightened the office with flowers she placed on each co-worker's desk, her friends recalled.
"She had this curiosity," Bjorn said. "We'd talk about cellphones in Finland, Japanese culture, dive bars in Seattle."
Bjorn said it was the little things he remembered most. Like the different teas that Griego would bring into the office to taste. Her adventures in car shopping. The pointy shoes from her large collection. Her smile. Her laugh.
"She helped me through some hard times, and I think I appreciate that more than she ever knew," Bjorn said.
Colleague and friend Luc de Montigny said Griego was so humble that — unless it was a compliment about her shoes — she wasn't good with flattery.
"When I'm closing my eyes I'm seeing this beautiful woman blushing and telling me to 'shut up,' " he said.
De Montigny said he saw less of Griego after he moved out of the office.
"As students we romance ideas," he said. "Sometimes we lose track of the real people who make up our lives."
Jim DeLisle, director of the Runstad Center, showed the gathering a book in which students had written their thoughts about Griego or simply signed.
DeLisle said he fondly recalls the words Griego's father used to describe her effect on others:
"Those who knew her were smitten by her."
"She's really one of those friends you meet once in a lifetime, and I really thought it would be for a lifetime," said an emotional Bjorn during a memorial service for Griego on Monday at the University of Washington.
Griego, 26, was shot and killed on April 2 by her ex-boyfriend-turned-stalker Jonathan Rowan in the UW's Gould Hall, where she worked as a program coordinator for the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies. Rowan then killed himself.
Griego, originally from Colorado, graduated from the UW with a bachelor's degree in economics in 2004.
About 250 friends and colleagues attended Monday's service, as did Griego's brother and sister, parents and other family members.
UW President Mark Emmert told the gathering that while the circumstances surrounding Griego's death had been shocking to the university community, Monday's event was a time to honor her life.
He said others had described Griego, whom he didn't know personally, as a mentor, manager and researcher — and the glue that held the real-estate program together.
Griego's friends recalled a woman who was often private and guarded but who also was sweet, poised and professional. She selflessly helped those around her and brightened the office with flowers she placed on each co-worker's desk, her friends recalled.
"She had this curiosity," Bjorn said. "We'd talk about cellphones in Finland, Japanese culture, dive bars in Seattle."
Bjorn said it was the little things he remembered most. Like the different teas that Griego would bring into the office to taste. Her adventures in car shopping. The pointy shoes from her large collection. Her smile. Her laugh.
"She helped me through some hard times, and I think I appreciate that more than she ever knew," Bjorn said.
Colleague and friend Luc de Montigny said Griego was so humble that — unless it was a compliment about her shoes — she wasn't good with flattery.
"When I'm closing my eyes I'm seeing this beautiful woman blushing and telling me to 'shut up,' " he said.
De Montigny said he saw less of Griego after he moved out of the office.
"As students we romance ideas," he said. "Sometimes we lose track of the real people who make up our lives."
Jim DeLisle, director of the Runstad Center, showed the gathering a book in which students had written their thoughts about Griego or simply signed.
DeLisle said he fondly recalls the words Griego's father used to describe her effect on others:
"Those who knew her were smitten by her."