In Memory of Marguerite Fauquenoy

With profound sadness, the Department of French at Simon Fraser University announces the passing of Marguerite Fauquenoy on July 29, 2024. Marguerite played a pivotal role in shaping the Department, leaving a lasting impact that will resonate for years to come.

A distinguished scholar in French linguistics and sociolinguistics, Marguerite joined SFU in 1967 while completing her doctorate under Professor André Martinet at Paris-Sorbonne. She was instrumental in developing the French linguistics curriculum within the Department of Languages, Literature, and Linguistics (French Division) and later became a founding member of the Department of French in 1988.

Her many accolades include being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and receiving the Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes académiques from the French government in 1992. Marguerite's research, particularly in Creole linguistics and Second Language Acquisition, included significant contributions such as the Guyanese bilingual dictionary, a key part of a Pan-Creole project in collaboration with the University of Antilles-Guyane.

Beyond her academic work, Marguerite was committed to promoting French culture within the broader community. As Chair of the French Department from 2001 to 2004, she helped establish the Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs (OFFA), which supports French programs at SFU and organizes cultural and scientific events. She also initiated the first book prize ceremony for outstanding students in the French Department, a tradition that continues to this day. Her legacy endures through the Dr. Marguerite Fauquenoy Graduate Scholarship in French.

Marguerite will be deeply missed by her colleagues, students, and the French-speaking community she nurtured. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.