Marquette University mourns the loss of Dr. Anne Pasero, beloved professor of Spanish in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, who died on Friday, Feb. 23.
Having joined Marquette in 1981, Anne excelled as a teacher, researcher and leader. She was promoted to associate professor in 1991 and became a full professor in 2012. Between 2012 and 2019, she served as chair of the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
“In the Department and beyond, colleagues found in Anne a faithful friend and an invaluable mentor,” said Dr. Eugenia Afinoguénova, chair of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. “One of the first tenured women professors at Marquette, she cared deeply about equity and inclusion and never stopped working to promote women’s professional recognition.”
Trained as an expert in both classic and contemporary Spanish poetry and always attentive to women’s voices, Anne published extensively on women writers ranging from Saint Teresa de Jesús to Clara Janés, who now is a member of Spain’s Royal Academy.
Having served for many years on the Association of Marquette University Women Chair in Humanistic Studies Search Committee, Anne was named in August 2021 the inaugural AMUW Distinguished Professor. According to Dr. Heidi Bostic, dean of the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, Anne epitomized the values of the AMUW, as “this honor was intended to call attention to the inestimable value of the humanities and the role of women faculty in keeping Marquette strong and vibrant.”
Alumni remember Anne fondly as a leader of Marquette’s popular Study Center in Madrid, which she directed for nine years.
“Dr. Anne Pasero was an extraordinary mentor who truly embodied the spirit of cura personalis,” said Dr. Pilar Bellver, associate professor of Spanish. “She cared deeply about the professional and personal well-being of all of us in the department, always attentive to our needs and ready to offer her support.”
Anne was tireless in her service to the university and the profession. She served on the University Academic Senate (of which she was a vice-chair in 2016-17), Faculty Hearing Committee, Committee on Faculty’s Subcommittee on the Status of Women Faculty, the Advisory Committee for Global Engagement, the College Promotion and Tenure Area Committee, Women’s and Gender Studies Advisory Board, and the Advisory Board of the Center for the Advancement of the Humanities, among many other service activities. For several years, she led the Consortium of US Academic Programs in Spain.
In 2019, the Association of Marquette University Women recognized Anne’s research, teaching and service to Marquette and to the community, as well as her mentorship to students and other faculty, by the Nora Finnigan Werra Faculty Achievement Award.
“Dr. Anne Pasero leaves a legacy in LLAC of dedicated service to her students, leadership for her department and university, and a passion for research and writing even in her most difficult moments. And she achieved all this with tenacity and humility. In addition to being a successful academic and professor, Anne epitomized a supportive and loving devotion to her family and friends,” said Dr. Jennifer Vanderheyden, associate professor of French.
Anne is survived by her son, Dr. Anthony Pasero O’Malley, assistant professor of Spanish and contemporary Spanish theater at Providence College.
Anne’s memorial service will be held Thursday, March 28, at Prasser Klecka Funeral Home (3275 S. Howell Ave.). The visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon with the service to follow from noon to 1 p.m.
Please remember Anne, her family and friends in prayer.
