It is with sorrow that we say goodbye to our colleague Lidia Villani, who passed away a few days ago. Lidia began at the American Academy in Rome in 1999 as administrative assistant and cashier. Her contagious cheerfulness enlightened both her work and her personal relationships with the community.
These profound human qualities never abandoned her. Lidia spent the last six years struggling against illness; nevertheless she managed to find energy to support both friends and others in difficulty, including charity work in India for the poorest children and families.
Lidia will be deeply missed; we have all benefited from her love for life.