Caroline Monahan Memorial Giving Page

Caroline Monahan was born in Witney, England, and lived in London, with the exception of the war years to escape the bombing. She moved with her parents, Hugh and Agnes, and brothers, Patrick and Kevin, to Vancouver in 1957. Her dad was a world-renowned artist, recognized for his paintings of wildlife.

Caroline pursued her BA and MA at UBC, and later completed her PhD at the University of London. She was hired first in the Modern Language department at the University of Victoria in 1967. The following year, the Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies was established, of which she was a founding member.

She served as chair of the department for the academic year 1976-77. In 1981, when the long standing chair, Pablo Cabañas, suddenly died of a heart attack, Caroline was once more called upon to serve as chair until 1984, and then again in 1986 for six months. Caroline fought for the department's interests with the characteristics which defined her: strong principled determination tempered with good humour.

Her research included a critical edition of Los hijos de la Barbuda, by Luis Vélez de Guevara, along with other related publications, including a rediscovery of another play by Luis Vélez. Her many scholarly presentations, always of the highest standard and very entertaining, were often the result of countless hours spent in the British Library in the summer months.

Caroline's outstanding teaching skills were admired by peers and students alike. She offered courses on Spanish language, translation, Spanish Golden Age literature and Spanish culture, among others. The courses she taught in her final year saw record numbers of students, including in her ever-popular course on Cervantes' Don Quixote.

Caroline, a beloved teacher and colleague, the heart and soul of the department, with a strong sense of what was right, retired in 2005 and made the most of her retirement, enjoying birding, a passion she got from her dad, travel, theatre, opera, music and the Spanish Book Club.

Caroline had a world of friends and was extremely close to her two brothers and their families. She will be greatly missed.

Caroline’s family has provided a link to her obituary.

Established in her memory, the Caroline Monahan Scholarship will support academically outstanding students majoring in Hispanic Studies in the Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies.

If you have any questions, please contact our Annual Giving office at 250-472-4924 or giving@uvic.ca.