don't ya hate it when that happens?
Saturday, April 05, 2003
in loving memory of cynthia "snoopy" rabuy
Rabuy remembered for service to UCLA
By Robert Salonga
DAILY BRUIN SENIOR STAFF
rsalonga@media.ucla.edu
UCLA suffered a tragic loss with the death of Cynthia Rabuy, a highly respected and revered student leader who was killed Wednesday night in a traffic collision. She was 23.
Rabuy served as both chair and vice-chair on the board of directors for the Associated Students of UCLA for the last two years. She was also the financial supports commissioner on the Undergraduate Students Association Council during the 2000-2001 term.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Rabuy's car was struck by another vehicle on the southbound 405 Freeway near the Washington Boulevard off-ramp just before midnight Wednesday.
The CHP also reported that the driver who collided with Rabuy's car was driving while intoxicated and did not make any evasive action to avoid her car. This driver, who survived the incident, was treated for his injuries and booked by the Los Angeles Police Department for vehicular manslaughter. An investigation is currently pending.
Relatives emphasized UCLA's influence on Rabuy's life, where she devoted countless hours of her time serving students.
"We want to thank everyone at UCLA for touching her life and allowing her to be in their's," said Andrew Beall, Rabuy's brother-in-law with whom she lived.
Several teary-eyed students, Rabuy's peers and colleagues, collected in front of Kerckhoff Hall around noon to inform each other of the their friend's death and to console one another.
Evan Okamura served on USAC with Rabuy in 2000-2001 as external vice president, and wanted students who did not know her to realize how important she was to campus.
"She worked her whole career helping the UCLA community on USAC and on the board of directors," he said. "She was definitely one who gave her all for UCLA and students."
Rabuy was in her fifth-year, having entered UCLA during winter 1999. She was expected to graduate at the end of this quarter after completing education and public policy minors. She already completed the coursework for her English degree last quarter.
"She was a brilliant person; she will be missed terribly," said Marlo Beall, Rabuy's sister.
Rabuy was also involved in Samahang Pilipino, with which she was practicing Wednesday night for the group's annual Pilipino Culture Night.
Berky Nelson, director for the Center for Student Programming who served as an administrative representative on USAC during Rabuy's term, described her ability to keep calm during what were often contentious council meetings.
"I can recall sitting next to her ... and admiring her even temper, listening ability and respect for her thought process once she spoke," Nelson said. "She was always dedicated to the welfare of others; she cannot be replaced."
Rabuy's ASUCLA colleagues asserted that she did the right thing, "even in difficult circumstances. Her desire to include all voices in discussion was a character trademark, said ASUCLA executive director Patricia Eastman.
"Whether she was chairing a meeting or talking one-on-one, Cindy went out of her way to be sure that all perspectives were heard and respected," she said.
Randy Hall – Rabuy's successor as board chairman – said her work was always selfless.
"She was a true leader in every sense of the word," Hall said. "Not because of any prestige she got from her work, but because she honestly enjoyed helping people."
Rabuy was supposed to attend a board of directors meeting today, and for many members her absence will set the tone for it.
"It's a wake-up call," said Reem Salahi, a student member of the board.
Rabuy was the fourth member of her family to attend UCLA. She followed sisters Marlo, a 1997 undergraduate and 2000 graduate alumna, and Carla, a 1999 undergraduate alumna.
Her campus involvement closely followed that of her aunt, Maria Rabuy Inciong, who served as USAC executive vice president in 1989-1990 and also served on the ASUCLA board of directors the following year.
Beall said the family plans on holding a memorial service for Rabuy at UCLA in the near future. In the meantime, he asked students and those who knew her to "keep her in (their) prayers and thoughts."
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