After six years of fighting cancer, Maria Antonieta Galvan, Associate Professor of Spanish, now rests in peace.

Galvan was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2001. Despite the negative circumstances she was going through, she kept teaching with passion. She will be remembered forever by her students, friends, faculty and staff who saw her struggle with her illness while maintaining dignity and great energy.

“She had a great presence and was a phenomenal teacher,” said Azalia Rodriguez, a sophomore Business major at Palo Alto College. “She had a special way of teaching.”

Galvan gave 19 years of service to the students of Palo Alto College and 20 years before that at a local private school. A native of Mexico, she had a total of 39 years in the teaching field and is considered by many to be a valuable pillar in the college’s foundation. One of her best achievements was being nominated by her peers for the prestigious Piper Award that recognizes teaching excellence.

Dedication to her students and her job was an essential part of Galvan’s life. She was always concerned about her students. If she knew something was wrong with one of them, she was always on the student’s side.

“She always tried to help students in distress,” said Rosa Salinas Samelson, Associate Professor of Spanish, who met Galvan in 1991 and became a close friend. “Throughout the years, students very often went through difficult times, whether it was family problems or economic problems. Many became homeless, and I witnessed all the effort that Maria Antonieta made to help her students rise above all the anguish that they were suffering, because she didn’t want them to quit coming to school.”

Galvan always transmitted energy, even in the last years of her life when she had to go through chemotherapy, which caused her to lose her hair.

Galvan’s favorite hobby was working in her yard; she considered it to be the best form of relaxation. On countless occasions, she brought flowers to work for all of her friends to enjoy.

“Many of this friends of hers at the college have blooming plants in their gardens as a result of her generosity,” said Samelson.

“She was a striking woman,” said Ellen Shull, Professor of English. “She had a great spirit and a great character, always in a good mood with a beautiful smile.”

Caroline Mains, Assistant Chair of the English Department, remembers her as a delightful, lovable person who was full of energy.

“Each of us has a part of her that remains with us, whether it is her kindness or her loving soul,” said Mains.