2008 Woodie Awards
Memorial held for MJ Dutreuil
Sheeraz Hyder
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Campus News
- Page 1 of 1
On Wednesday night, Stevens students and faculty bade farewell to Marie-Joan (MJ) Dutreuil '07, who passed away in a boating accident in southern Florida during the summer. Held at Castle Point, the memorial began at 9pm and lasted for approximately 45 minutes. Pastor Mona Fitch of Campus Ministry began the event with a short prayer for Dutreuil. Alicia Mahon '08 then sang Ave Maria in her honor.
Janelle Weaver, Area Coordinator, and Kenneth Nilsen, Dean of Student Life, offered short testaments about their best memories of MJ. Nilsen spoke about the "Class of 2007" dinner in the spring where Dutreuil sang the Stevens Alma Mater. Nilsen recalled that ever since he knew her, he said he "couldn't roll… [his] tongue fast enough" in order to get her French name right, but Dutreuil, given her personality, kept on correcting and encouraging him. She then told him "You're gonna do what you gonna…just try", which to Nilsen summed up her outgoing personality. Weaver on the other hand repeated David Arkins quote that started with "You can shed tears that she is gone or you can smile because she has lived". Sabrina Rencher, a friend of Dutreuil, then read 1 Corinthian 15:51-57 from the New Testament. Sharmin Bennett '08, Dutreuil's roommate for her time at Stevens, meanwhile read Psalm 118:19-24 from the Old Testament.
Fitch then performed an interpretive dance to "Precious Lord" followed by the Stevens Choir, of which Dutreuil was an alumni, who sang "Remember". Afterwards Fitch delivered a sermon that highlighted Dutreuil's many positive qualities including her being "a leader in the community" and "she was a person that reached out to other people". Fitch reminded the attendees that she was, and still is, a light in the community through her activism on campus. Nilsen then invited everyone to sing "What a Fellowship, What a Joy". In the end Nilsen and MJ's brother, Jerry Dutreuil '08 thanked everyone for attending the service.
MJ Dutreuil graduated Stevens in May 2007 with a Masters and Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Computer Engineering along with a minor in Electrical Engineering. The memorial was attended by sever members of the Stevens community, including Jerry, and her sister, Anne Dutreuil '10.
Janelle Weaver, Area Coordinator, and Kenneth Nilsen, Dean of Student Life, offered short testaments about their best memories of MJ. Nilsen spoke about the "Class of 2007" dinner in the spring where Dutreuil sang the Stevens Alma Mater. Nilsen recalled that ever since he knew her, he said he "couldn't roll… [his] tongue fast enough" in order to get her French name right, but Dutreuil, given her personality, kept on correcting and encouraging him. She then told him "You're gonna do what you gonna…just try", which to Nilsen summed up her outgoing personality. Weaver on the other hand repeated David Arkins quote that started with "You can shed tears that she is gone or you can smile because she has lived". Sabrina Rencher, a friend of Dutreuil, then read 1 Corinthian 15:51-57 from the New Testament. Sharmin Bennett '08, Dutreuil's roommate for her time at Stevens, meanwhile read Psalm 118:19-24 from the Old Testament.
Fitch then performed an interpretive dance to "Precious Lord" followed by the Stevens Choir, of which Dutreuil was an alumni, who sang "Remember". Afterwards Fitch delivered a sermon that highlighted Dutreuil's many positive qualities including her being "a leader in the community" and "she was a person that reached out to other people". Fitch reminded the attendees that she was, and still is, a light in the community through her activism on campus. Nilsen then invited everyone to sing "What a Fellowship, What a Joy". In the end Nilsen and MJ's brother, Jerry Dutreuil '08 thanked everyone for attending the service.
MJ Dutreuil graduated Stevens in May 2007 with a Masters and Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Computer Engineering along with a minor in Electrical Engineering. The memorial was attended by sever members of the Stevens community, including Jerry, and her sister, Anne Dutreuil '10.