It is with great sadness that I learned of the illness and passing away of Dr. Ana-Karina Schneider, my colleague and friend. I would always get in touch with her when I made my annual return for three months in Sibiu and our visits were always peppered with great conversations on a range of topics from world literature, literary theory, politics, and political theory over a fine glass of wine or a good cup of coffee and desserts. And we always had good laughs. And we shared a range of great friends and a variety of good times academic and social. I remember her journey through graduate school and as an engaging professor and Editor-in-Chief of American, British and Canadian Studies, a truly fine professional academic journal to which I have been honored to contribute in a variety of capacities at her heartfelt and knowledgeable urging. I will always remember attending a Transylvanian International Theatre Festival event with her—featuring the great Russian dancer, Mikhail Baryshnikov dancing and reading from the great Russian writer, and Nobel Laureate, Joseph Brodsky. That was the kind of thing we felt like doing together.
In a more personal and humorous vein, I always got a kick chiding her about mentioning T.S Eliot “correctly”: “Thomas STEARNS Eliot” I would always say, winking. I will always miss “burdening” her with my corny academic jokes and anecdotes.
Rest in Peace dear Karina. You were one of the wonderful ones.
William Stearns