In Memoriam: Catarina Tereza Feldmann

1944 - 2006

atarina Feldmann—Caty as her family and friends called her, or Dr Edinger, as her students called her for so many years before she took her maiden name back—seemed to be quoting John Donne in person for the few months she courageously used her energy and strong will to face the adversities that came her way. Not for one single moment did she allow death the inappropriateness of being "proud, mighty and dreadful." In fact, it was as if we could hear Caty quoting Donne: "...nor yet canst thou kill me (easily)".

Caty died in the early morning on the day she planned to fly down to Brazil. A few days earlier her failing voice was still expressing her classic plans to fly to São Paulo and spend some days on the beach—"we could just drive down and back up, just for a walk and a swim", would be her usual wish. "....nor yet canst thou kill me (easily)!"

Caty was as energetic for her leisure time as she was for her professional life and career. Extremely diligent and deeply involved with students and all academic activities associated with teaching, she never hesitated to take some time off for trekking, trails, walking, traveling and being with colleagues, friends and her loved ones.

Caty shared her energy and expertise with students since early in life. As students in her very first class at the University of São Paulo, my classmates and I were absolutely astounded by the vivacious, highly knowledgeable literature teacher who was barely four years older than ourselves! Literature was in her veins, mixed into the oxygen she breathed—an integral part of her reasoning, thinking, and living.

Translation came in 1970—in her master's degree. Hemingway—the writer in English and the writer as perceived in Brazilian Portuguese. So many times did we discuss "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber"! So many times did we talk about short, happy lives! So easy, so distant, so far-fetched for anyone in their 20's!

Hemingway was followed by Fernando Pessoa, in her doctorate, also at the University of São Paulo. Again literature and translation hand in hand. Post-doctorate would take her to the United States, as a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard and Tufts. It did not take long, though, before she chose the US to be her home. As diligent as ever, and properly recognized as a highly qualified professional, she never hesitated in starting a new career. Academic impositions did not allow her Brazilian academic position and advance to be transferred to the US. A personality as hers would never even be concerned about a new start, let alone fear it! Dr Edinger had a prestigious career at Willian Pattersen University, in New Jersey, and was respected by her students, by her peers, and by the community as a whole.

Her love for literature led to her most renowned literary translation work: the translation of Senhora, by José de Alencar, into English.

Caty's life was lived in full, in flashes, in flights—in the most personal fashion. She managed to keep her friends in Brazil for all those years she lived abroad. Although she could not see them very frequently—since her trips to Brazil were usually short—whenever she met them it was always as if they had ever parted. She was that kind of person! She alternated her get-togethers: and her timing was incredibly efficient, never to miss a friend for too long!

As cosmopolitan as anyone could be back in the 70's Caty traveled as often and as much as she could. The world seemed never too big for her—and new experiences and adventures never seemed enough, either! Her love for nature was as deep as her love for literature—she saw nature in a literary way, and literature was most naturally a part of her personality. The ocean always had a very special place in Caty's life: a source for refreshment, renewal, inspiration, and faith.

Caty was always ready to pack and go on a trip—but this time it all happened too fast! And to be consistent with her intense, vigorous life, many times lived through shiny flashes, Caty left before she could make her last flight on a regular airplane. But "those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow, die not". Caty´s strong will and brilliant personality will be for ever with those she loved and with whom she shared her life, her friendship, her love, her teaching, her thinking, and her zest.