Celebration of Life for Ann Dizikes

Dear Cowell Fellows and Community,

I write in sadness to let you know that we have recently lost one of our dear, longtime members of the Cowell Community, Ann Dizikes, who passed away at home in April.

Born in England, the daughter of scholars at Cambridge, Ann came to UC Santa Cruz at its opening in 1965 with her husband John, and became a friend, inspiration and mentor to so many faculty, staff, students and community members. The history of this college has many celebrated faculty, staff and alumni. But there are also some people, such as Ann, whose contributions were less visible, but absolutely crucial. As my friend, co-editor of the UC Santa Cruz oral history Seeds of Something Different, Cameron Vanderscoff, notes, “perhaps no one among the founders [was] more equipped than Ann in truly knowing and understanding what a college could be, and what it took to create a space that truly welcomed, inspired and encouraged young people. So many of the founders dreamed of it; she was one of a very few in their number who had already lived it.” Ann was revered for her apparently effortless service (built on lots of effort!), her generosity with her time, her dignified presence and her unfailing care for all she came in contact with. As I reflect on what the ideals of Cowell College have been to the generations who have been here, I cannot help but hold Ann in the highest regard. Whatever attractions our motto, our curriculum or our programs might have, ultimately we thrive best when we know and follow Ann’s graceful model of mutual care and unstinting hospitality.

Ann’s qualities were not exhausted by her contributions to our campus. She was an accomplished textile artist in her own right, a weaver who relished the possibilities for creativity in the rule-based structure of the loom. Through her craft, she found mentors, friends, collaborators and admirers throughout the broader Bay Area, inspiration in travels and opportunities to feature her work at several galleries in the region. Her stature in the arts in our community led to the naming of the annex at the Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery at Cowell to be the Ann Dizikes Annex. Visitors to the gallery will long have the opportunity to remember Ann as a pillar of the arts in Santa Cruz. In addition to her weaving, Ann also loved classical music and the ballet, and she was an accomplished chef and joyful gardener.

Her son, Peter, published a beautiful tribute to his mother in the Santa Cruz Sentinel and I highly recommend it to all.

Please join me in taking the time to reflect upon and appreciate Ann’s beautiful legacy.

Alan Christy

A Celebration of Life for Ann Dizikes will be held on Saturday, July 6, from 3–5:00 p.m. at the Cowell Provost House. 

Please help us prepare for the event by registering your intention to attend. Please note that seating is first come, first served.

Parking

Guests are encouraged to park at the East Remote parking lot (Lot 104) on Hagar Drive, free of charge. Parking is also available in lot 103A (Athletics and Recreation), which takes Parkmobile and the A permit. The campus parking map is available here.

ADA parking can be found near the Cowell Provost House in lot 163. An ADA placard from the DMV must be displayed to be valid in a medical permit or ADA spaces. More information about disabled or medical parking can be found here.