Nuala Koetter
(née Bennett)

To Catherine, Jim, Moira, Finn and all the Bennett and Kötter families, my deepest condolences at this very sad time. Having known Nuala all through our schooldays and latterly keeping up via our mothers and meeting up when we both happened to be in Dublin at the same time, it was with great shock sadness that I heard the news. I have very happy memories of walking with Nuala, Finn, Moira and Mai on a cold but bright day on Dollymount beach a couple of years ago. I was also lucky enough to drop into Foxfield Road while Nuala was home last Christmas and as always it was lovely to see her. I will keep these fond memories in my heart.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.

Margaret Wallace, Twickenham, London

Dear family, we were neighbours of Nuala in munich (till July 2013). Sometimes we had a breakfast together in the "Victorian Tea House". She was a wonderful Person - very friendly, with so much discipline to face her life. She had much to give, first of all to Finn, her son. I pray for you and Finn - God bless you

I send my deepest condolences from Champaign, IL. I had the pleasure of knowing Nuala and Ralf from before they were Nuala-and-Ralf. One of my fondest memories of Nuala, occurred when Finn was just a few weeks old.

With your mom, Finn, I planned to take your parents food after you were born. But, they did not need it right away because your grandparents were visiting and taking care of your parents so they could take care of you. I remember those conversations over the phone when you were so new. Your mom was so happy. You were a good baby. It all seemed so easy! As a relatively new mom myself, I was a bit jealous!

Of course, eventually, your grandparents went home. The day had arrived for me to take over the food. I arrived. Your mom and I chatted. I properly admired you. I left still amazed at how well she was doing as a new mom! A couple of days later your mom called me. She thanked me again and told me she now understood why I kept insisting on bringing over that food! With your grandparents gone, she realized that taking care of you kept her very busy and while eating was necessary, it was no longer so easy to find the time to cook!

This story makes me smile even in sadness. It reminds how much I admired the strength of Nuala’s opinions and her willingness to express them. Also, it reminds me of how gracious she was, as for example, when she changed her mind about that post-baby food!
Susan Curtis

To the entire Bennett and Kötter families,
Jim, Catherine, Moira, Kieran and Bryan: your family and mine were quite close as we grew up together in Foxfield, Raheny after we moved to Ireland from New York so many years ago. I was shocked to hear from my sister Patricia on Friday morning of Nuala’s untimely passing. Patricia and her twin sister Mary were friends with Nuala growing up and I knew her well through them. I wish you sincere condolences on this sad occasion, from myself and the entire Cleary family.
Finn, Hubert, Ruth, und Jorg: ich habe in München im Sommer 1982 gearbeitet. Ich bin sehr traurig von das Tod von Nuala zu hören, wir waren Nachbars in Dublin als ich jung war, sie war sehr nett, ich wünsche Ihnen Frieden.
Sean Cleary
Trim, Co. Meath
seanjcleary@hotmail.com

Nuala and I worked together once a week in the school's library of Finn's school. I am deeply shocked and sad upon hearing of Nuala's passing. I will miss her. My deepest sympathy to her family and especially to Finn.

Silke

My thoughts are with the Bennett and Koetter families and especially Finn at this very sad time. I have known Nuala since we started at Trinity back in 1990. She was a dear friend and I will miss her badly. I can't be there in Dublin tomorrow but I will say a special prayer for all of you at noon.

Sleep tight Nuala,

Eilis xx

Deepest sympathy to all the Bennett family on the death of a dear Mother, Daughter and Sister. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time.

To Jim and Catherine: The O'Driscoll family is very sad to hear of your daughter's death. We will pray for her and for all her family in appreciation of your kindness to our family. May Nuala rest in peace.

Nuala and I became friends when I lived in Munich for eight months in 2010 and my son was a few months old. My cousin Vijay introduced us via email. I will always remember her extraordinary warmth and openness and kindness and humour, and will miss her. All of you, and especially Finn, are constantly in my thoughts. Rest in peace, Nuala.

Vidya

This message comes across the sea from one of Nuala's colleagues at the University of Illinois who worked with her on the German Emblem Project. Nuala's expertise gave us the project's first web presence. Our work with the Herzog August BIbliothek, Wolfenbüttel, was funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and allowed us to create a pilot project demonstrating the research ideas for the future funding leading to Emblematica Online. We traveled together in various combinations to scholarly meetings in Á Coruña, Spain, and to Wolfenbüttel, Germany. We were guests in her home and helped to welcome Finn into the world.

I have two very fond memories of her: one was at a cafe along the Oker River in Braunschweig, where on a warm Spring day the Illinois researchers all insisted on eating our cake and having our coffee outdoors. We had just come from a very snowy Illinois. Another poignant memory is sitting with Ralf, Nuala and the infant Finn, and others, at an outdoor restaurant in Champaign in the summer of 2005 during the international conference of the Society for Emblem Studies. Ralf held Finn up above his head, Finn was smiling hugely, and Ralf said, "Ach! Du Bärchen!" Nuala and Ralf beamed at each other. An everyday moment with a very happy family.

Nuala was a good friend and a most excellent colleague. She will be sadly missed.
Mara Wade, Champaign, IL

Dear family,
I am a neighbour of Nuala and Finn in Munich and I want to say that I am very sad that Nuala passed away. She was always so friendly and I enjoyed her being my neighbour for many years. I will miss her a lot. May Nuala rest in peace.

Lieber Finn,
es tut mir so unendlich leid, was mit deiner Mama passiert ist. Ich denke oft an dich.

Marietta Kaszuba
Volkartstr. 33
80634 München
Germany

To Finn and Bennett and Koetter families,
We were privileged to know both Ralph and Nuala when they lived in Champaign. We are shocked and saddened by her untimely passing. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.

Seamus

To Finn and the Bennett family, I am deeply shocked and upset upon hearing of Nuala 's passing. I knew both her and Ralph from our time in Urbana together and was privileged to have friends like them. I am at a loss for words.
May Nuala rest in peace

Liam Kehoe
Galway and Killarney