In Memory of

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In Memory of
Cristina Menendez 1973 - 1998
Cristina Menendez, died July 23, 1998, after
collapsing from heat exhaustion while collecting
water samples in the Everglades. Cristina,
twenty-five years-old, earned her undergraduate
degree in Biological Sciences from Florida
International University in 1997. She was
vitally interested in the environment,
particularly the Everglades, and planned to
devote her professional life to the protection
and restoration of our fragile resources. She was
already proficient at the often dirty and
difficult field work so necessary for scientific
research. But no matter how difficult, she loved
the challenge. She was employed as a student
assistant by the Southeast Environmental Research
Program during her undergraduate years, and then
following her graduation, moved eagerly into her
role as a field technician. Her task was to
collect water samples in the water conservation
areas to be used to monitor pollution levels in
the Everglades. She welcomed the hardships she
endured in the field as valuable experiences on
the road to her future which included graduate
studies and a career in the Biological
Sciences. As much as all of us in Southeast
Environmental Research Program are diminished by
her death, we are also strengthened by the gift
of having known her. And even in the depths of
our sadness, we can find comfort in remembering
how her life touched each of ours. Her quick
laughter and keen sense of humor prevented us
from taking ourselves too seriously. Her
excitement and enthusiasm about her work and
studies reminded us that joy can be found even in
the routine and sometimes unpleasant tasks that
fill our days. Her kindness and encouragement
were freely given, and never failed to restore
our sometimes flagging faith in ourselves and
others.
The background photo is an artwork that renowned
photographer Claudine Laabs has dedicated to
honor her.