In Loving Memory of Dr. Yvette Fallenday

February 12, 2021
Yvette Fallenday

In honor and sadness, we post the news of the passing of Dr. Yvette Fallandy. She was 94 years old.

A strong and strong-willed woman leader at SSU, Yvette founded the French program at SSU in 1964, and retired in 1998, after 34 years of service in a rich variety of roles. Aside from creating the French program from scratch and delivering the curriculum she had created, Yvette served as Provost (then called VP for Academic Affairs) from 1970 to 1974 and, in the early 80’s, was instrumental in freeing Sonoma State from the tyrannical President Peter Diamadopoulos.

Yvette loved Sonoma State University, and we invite you to revisit her contribution to the “Memories of SSU” compiled on the occasion of the university’s 50th anniversary (https://web.sonoma.edu/50th/memories/fallandy.html ). Many of us remember the joy and pride in her powerful voice, as she read the names of the graduating students at Commencement.

 

Memories

“Words fail me to say, briefly enough here, how much I owe to Yvette’s kindness, her generous spirit of solidarity with women, her appreciation of human connection, her wit, and her dedication to the well-being of this institution. I miss her unforgettable presence.”

Christine Renaudin, Professor of French