Dear Family,
Thank you for the beautiful images of Rae’s funeral. I am reminded of how short our stay is in this physical realm each time I am faced with illness and the passing of a loved one. Our dear Rae is still with us in our hearts. I will always remember her as a sister, an artist, friend, community activist, art educator–she had so many roles to go with her many talents. She leaves behind a rich legacy, not only in her artwork, but in her two beautiful children and her dear husband Math. This family touched my life time and time again. I am reminded of the unwavering committment Math, Casey and Ethan provided to the endless lists of things to do for Rae’s causes. They always took on a great deal of responsibility, out of their love and admiration for her. I will always be reminded of this during the many art exhibits I was fortunate enough to see hung and be involved with, and how the shows became collaborations by the entire family. Such a beautiful foursome this family made.
I will always remember the times spent with Rae co-teaching together at the UW-Madison Art Department as graduate students and TA’s. Rae led the cause for feminist artists and all minorities as she explored multiculturalism in the arts–forging paths to make opportunities for all artists to be heard and seen. I will never forget the time as TA’s, we were chastized by a few professors in the art department for teaching “multiculturalism” in our 2-D, 3-D sections. These few professors were so frustrated with Rae, me and Mary Bennet for teaching multiculturalism in the classroom, that they took it to the level of trying to block our reappointment as teachers. Rae knew exactly what to do. Rae always knew what to do. Rae would laugh, that deep belly laugh and then begin to work the system from the front, back, top, bottom and sides. She guided us as a group of young teachers, to the Student Union and pleaded our case and cause for our reappointment which eventually took our case all the way up Bascom Hill to Dean Trueba in the Department of Education. After weeks of deliberation, our appointments were granted and the professors involved were strongly encouraged to back off.
I learned so much from her during her short life and I am still not done learning from her. I loved Rae and will always look upon our time together with great fondness. I will miss her deeply. I know you are hearing this Rae. We need you on the other side, but sure miss ya here. Thanks Rae for such great moments … you will be treasured and remembered often.
Barbara Westfall