Assessing How We Define Diversity - Seattle University

in memoriam, cont.
degree in education from Seattle University.
In 1997, she retired from the University of
Alaska Anchorage as a full professor. An active
member of Natives of Kodiak Inc., Mulcahy
worked with the educational board of Koniag
Inc. In 2002 she moved with her partner, Lois,
to Bellingham, Wash. Rena is survived by
her partner of 16 years, Lois Chanslor; sister,
Mary Kauffmann; son, Patrick; daughter,
Mara; grandchildren, Lila and Samuel; former
husband, Edward; and many friends. She
was preceded in death by her brother, Barney
Corgetelli. Donations in Mulcahy’s honor may
be made to University of Alaska Anchorage,
3211 Providence Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508,
or to the Pride Foundation, 1122 E. Pike St.,
PMB 1001, Seattle, WA 98122.
Venus F.L. Placer-Barber, ’83, died May
5, 2007, from liver cancer. She was 58. Born
in Libacao, Aklan, Philippines, to educator
parents, Placer-Barber pursued a life dedicated
to education. She received a scholarship to
attend the University of the Philippines and
upon graduation in 1968 came to Seattle with
her family. Placer-Barber earned her teaching
degree and credential at the University of
Washington, and taught English and Spanish
at Shoreline High School in 1970. In 1971,
the Seattle School District hired her to teach
bilingual education and English as a Second
Language. After earning a master’s degree
from Seattle University, she became the first
Philippine-born female principal in the Seattle
School District when she took the job at E.C.
Hughes Elementary School; she later worked
at Highland Park and North Beach elementary
schools until her retirement in 2000. While
teaching and family were driving forces in her
life, Placer-Barber was also an avid traveler and
visited 60 countries. Aditionally, she loved arts
and crafts and gardening. She is survived by
her husband, Bill Barber; her father, Rodecindo
Placer; brother, Douglas; sister-in-law, Linda;
sisters, Maria Allen Gamboa, Chiquita
Solidum, Rizalita Placer and Bernadette Placer;
stepchildren, Randy and Karen Barber; and
several nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
Donations in Placer-Barber’s name may be
made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box
22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.
Joan Marie (Champoux) Rude, ’65, died
April 24, 2007. She was 64. Rude was born and
raised in Yakima, Wash., and headed west to
attend Seattle University, where she earned a
degree in medical records science. In October
1965 she married Army 2nd Lt. Peter Rude
and moved to Richland, Wash. She is survived
by her husband, Pete; sons, Major Paul
Rude and Tom Rude; brothers, Rev. Tom
Champoux and Dr. Jim Campoux; sisters,
Carol Penny and Suzanne Lindberg; three
grandchildren; and seven nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorials in Rude’s honor may be made to
Catholic Family and Child Services, 2139 Van
Giesen St., Richland, WA 99354, or to the St.
Vincent de Paul Society, 1111 Stevens Dr.,
Richland, WA 99354.
Dr. Edward J. Scharman, DDS, ’50, died
Jan. 12, 2007. After graduating from Franklin
High School in 1942, Scharman went into the
US Navy, where he served aboard the USS
Haven in the South Pacific during World War
II. After finishing his time with the armed
services in 1946, Scharman graduated from
SU and the University of Washington Dental
School. He practiced dentistry for 40 years in
the Columbia City neighborhood of Seattle.
Outside his academic and work life, Scharman
was an avid athlete. He was a member of both
the Seattle Tennis Club and the Rainier Golf
and Country Club. Scharman is survived by
his wife, Barbara; his children, Michael and
Paula; his stepchildren, Cameron and Kara;
and his grandson, Blake. Donations may be
made in his name to a favorite charity.
Elizabeth “Betty” Weaver, ’67, died July
6, 2007. She was 90. Weaver was born in St.
Paul, Minn., and at an early age her family
relocated to Tacoma, Wash. The family
was active in their church and community,
which greatly influenced Weaver’s dedication
to helping others and making a difference
through her work as a teacher. While a
student at the College of Puget Sound, she
met the love of her life, Harold, who was
working toward an engineering degree at the
University of Washington. After they married
in 1940, the couple settled in Seattle. While
Harold worked at Boeing, Betty taught at
area private schools. The couple welcomed
son Tom in 1941 and son Jim in 1944. After
she earned her teaching degree at Seattle
University, Weaver taught kindergarten in the
Highline School District until her retirement
in 1985. Weaver was active in various organizations:
she was three-time past president
of the Young Ladies Institute; a member of
the League of Women Voters, and the Des
Moines, Wash., chapter of AARP; and a
Eucharistic minister for St. Philomena Parish.
She will be remembered for her kindness, quiet
inner strength, unwavering faith and deep love
for her family, friends and country. Weaver is
survived by her grandson, James Weaver, Jr.,
and his wife, Jennifer; great-grandson Justin;
sisters, Jane Moosey and Ann-Louise Petrich;
brothers, Paul, Dick and Bill; sister-in-law,
Margaret; and many nieces and nephews and
their families. She was preceded in death by her
husband, Harold; and sons, Tom and Jim.
Collin Williams, ’80 EDLR, died April
22, 2007. He was 73. In 1953 he emigrated
from Belize to Seattle, where he lived and
worked until his death. For more than 30 years
Williams worked in education as a teacher,
principal and administrator in the Seattle School
District. He also was instrumental in developing
and later leading Seattle’s African American
Academy, where he was principal from 1993
to 2000. Much of his career in education was
focused on school integration. Williams was
known as someone who always rooted for the
underdog. During turbulent times in Seattle’s
history, he was a natural and inspirational
leader. The African American Academy named
a library in his honor in recognition of his many
contributions to the community. Williams is
survived by his wife of 47 years, Carole; daughter,
Theresa; son, Collin Jr.; two grandchildren;
three brothers; and five sisters. Donations may
be made in his name to the Collin Williams
Library, African American Academy, 8311
Beacon Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98118.
Obituaries
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deaths of alumni and friends. If a newspaper
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Seattle, WA 98122-1090
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