Carla Vandoni – A Remarkable Lady
It was with great sadness that the Association learned of the death, on 8th May 2000, of Carla Vandoni, wife of Carlo the Association’s secretary. By a strange co-incidence, 8th May is the day on which a remarkable English lady of the 15th Century, Julian of Norwich, is remembered.
Carla Vandoni worked tirelessly for the Association since the Eurographics ’80 conference was held in Geneva. Carlo was the organiser of the conference, and shortly thereafter became secretary of the Association and from that time Carla gave a signi cant portion of her time, not to mention a signi cant portion of her utility room, to ensuring the smooth operation of the Association. In the early days (which lasted over 10 years!) everything was run from the Vandoni’s home. Membership, distribution of conference materials, the journal Computer Graphics Forum, and Eurographics publications. More recently at least some of the distribution, for example Computer Graphics Forum, has been handled by the publisher, but the credit card became the most popular form of payment and Carla spent a considerable amount of time deciphering members’ handwriting in order to process payments! Carla was always on hand at the Eurographics stand at conferences and many readers will have met her there. In recognition of her work for the Association, Carla was made an Honorary Member of the Association.
But there was much more to Carla’s contribution to the Association than handling mailings and credit card payments. The Association’s Executive Board had a meeting in Geneva, from memory in 1983. During the meeting Carlo announced that we were invited to dine at \Chez Carla” that evening. A few knew what that meant, most thought we were going to a local restaurant. \Chez Carla” was, of course, the Vandoni’s home, but in a sense it might well have been a restaurant. The meal was pasta, followed by venison with palenta, then cheese and dessert, washed down by very ne white and red liquids. Carla was a most excellent cook, as I was to discover on many occasions. But \Chez Carla” is much more than a restaurant, it is a family home, to which the many friends in the Association were always made incredibly
welcome. One member who met Carla for the rst time a year ago commented on how he had been made welcome by her.
Carla’s interests did not stop at Eurographics. She had a great interest in needlework and was an accomplished lace maker and knitter. She loved to collect: in her case thimbles and pens, a welcome balance to Carlo’s interest in collecting bulkier items.
However, it was perhaps with children that Carla’s most special gifts were displayed. Several members will attest to the special relationship that grew up between Carla and their children, relationships which transcended barriers of culture and language. I last saw Carla in January, when she was really quite ill, but she came alive when her young granddaughter arrived, and Carla marvelled at the way she was learning to speak, both French and Italian, and could distinguish the two and know when and with whom to use each.
Carla, you have given so much to so many people. Your life has enriched our lives, and will continue to enrich us through our memories of you. To Carlo and your two sons, we o er our deepest sympathy and support in your loss.
David Duce