In Memoriam

Fanny Barrett (1939-2020)

“Fanny Barrett was the person destined to survive us all”, such was her fitness, her health, her energy and determination, all irradiating in a great smile. And yet, sadly, Fanny succumbed to an aggressive illness and left us suddenly. She was 81 years old.

Fanny was a passionate advocate and modeler of the power of good exercise, always encouraging all to stay fit and strong. In the 1818 Trekking Club where she was active, she was always believed to be younger than she was.

Fanny had a can-do attitude that was contagious in the face of challenges. She was an important member of the Urban and Sanitation team in the late 90s, and later of the Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP). Wherever she went, she contributed to success through team work, taking on challenging tasks and reducing the burden on others. She was dependable and practical. She would be the one to find the innovative way to solve problems at hand. She is, notably, the co-author of “Stuck in Traffic”, first scale comparative analysis of traffic in African metropolises. She delivered.

Fanny loved her work. She knew everyone and everyone came to her for help in the SSATP. With her petite figure and impeccable elegance, she was pivotal in the relationship with clients and partners in Africa, and a feature of Annual Meetings. Yet she was never afraid to call out colleagues or partners of any rank for a “bêtise” on their part. She had the authority granted by rigor and ethics yet all were fond of her

Fanny had courage. “In Maputo she was robbed at gunpoint when leaving work. Unharmed, she was unfazed and simply laughed; it was just one more experience in an eventful life. Fanny was tough!”

 

Maryvonne Plessis-Fraissard and former colleagues.