Dear Humber friends;

It is with profound sadness that we wish to inform the Humber community that Vanessa Vilic-Evangelista lost her fierce battle with cancer on the morning of Friday, February 23.

Vanessa began her Humber career as a Technologist supporting the Interior Decorating and Interior Design programs, and later as Professor and Program Coordinator of the Interior Decorating diploma. She has made many contributions to Humber’s Design programs, and played an instrumental role in the creation of the Humber Design Centre, including its recent renovation. It was under Vanessa’s leadership that the Interior Decorating diploma program grew to become one of the most highly subscribed Design programs at Humber, with very strong industry ties and reputation. 

Vanessa touched so many with her passion for family, friendship, creativity in learning, and design; she approached everything she did with extreme passion, and those of us who had the pleasure to know her have witnessed this first-hand. She balanced family, work, advanced studies, and rich friendships in a way that no one ever felt she was too busy to make time for them.

It was Vanessa’s wish that we all honour her spirit for life and happiness by remembering her as she was, and we intend to do just that by holding a Celebration of Life at Humber, in the spring. Details will be shared when they are available.