Recently, members of the GCC community got together to remember a life well spent, when they purchased a memorial tile in honor of Johnene Weaver, a GCC classified staff member who passed away in January of 2001.

The tile that will read, “In honor of Johnene “Jonnie” Weaver from GCC friends who loved her,” will join 173 other tiles as a part of the Milky Way Galaxy Mural featured on an outer wall of the new Cimmarusti Science Center.

Phyllis Hoover, a GCC English professor and friend of Weaver’s, contributed to the effort to raise funds for the tile.

“Jonnie had a way about her; when you talked to her you came away renewed and refreshed,” Hoover said. “She had a magic ability to enhance people’s lives, and was valued as a warm caring and giving friend.”

While at GCC, Weaver had many important roles on campus. Her first position was as the Academic and Faculty Guild Secretary. While in this position, Weaver helped draft governance updates, the system by which the decision making process on campus involves students, faculty and staff alike. Weaver then became the first governance coordinator and initiated the faculty newsletter, the ” Chaparral,” which she then edited until her death. She was also the administrator in the Animation Department. It was for her hard work and good-natured attitude in all these arenas which she is remembered most by among colleagues and friends.

“She was the warmest and most empathetic person I have ever worked with,” said Steve White, vice president of instructional services. ” She was totally selfless and one of the most fun people to be around. Jonnie was the most supported and talented person you could ever hope to work with.”

Weaver passed away in January of 2001 at the age of 56, after 12 years of service as classified GCC staff member.