OBITUARIES

OBITUARIES Dr. MALGORZATA PFABE

NORTHAMPTON, MA — Dr. Malgorzata Zielinska Pfabé passed away on December 27, 2022, at the age of 84. Born in Bielsko-Biala, Poland, to Adela Zielinska (Kohn) and Brunon Zielinski, she attended Liceum Ogólnoksztalcace im. Mikolaja Kopernika in Bielsko-Biala. This was followed by the Department of Physics at Warsaw University, where she did her undergraduate and master’s studies, and the Warsaw Institute for Nuclear Research (IBJ) for her PhD. She moved to the U.S. in 1978, and was proud to call both Northampton, MA and Smith College her home since 1982.

Malgorzata had a lifelong passion for physics as well as mathematics, with love in equal parts for pure research work and for in-person teaching. Her internationally recognized achievements began as a student when she became a Laureate of the 7th Mathematical Olympiad in Poland in 1956. Her interest in teaching took form quickly once at the university level, both formally and informally, including being a frequent guest on Polish radio, where she answered children’s and teens’ questions about physics.

Malgorzata’s studies and research work, from her master’s degree and onward throughout her career, were in theoretical nuclear physics, with a focus on heavy ions. She worked at the Institute for Nuclear Research, Instytut Badan Jadrowych (IBJ), in Warsaw, in the department of theoretical physics. She also simultaneously worked at the Academy of Sciences in Warsaw and at the Department of Physics at the University of Warsaw. Her research took her around the world, including Dubna, in the former U.S.S.R., Munich, in Germany, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in Troy, NY, Caen, in France, Canberra, in Australia, and Cataña, in Italy. Malgorzata had over 70 published research papers, and it is a testament to the impact she has had in her field that her work has over 1,100 citations from her peers.

While at Smith College, Malgorzata was honored to be the department head for the Physics Department for many years and took pride in helping to establish both an engineering exchange program between Smith and Dartmouth College as well as the Engineering Department at Smith College. She truly loved her students and is remembered by many as a wonderful teacher and a surrogate mother, particularly among the international students, for whom she provided a source of support while far from home. Two of her most prized possessions were her Marie Curie Award for Physics and her Faculty Teaching Award from the Students of Smith College.

In her private life, Malgorzata deeply loved her late husband, Jerzy, to whom she had been married for 60 years. Together, they enjoyed hosting frequent dinner parties and always welcomed visitors from near and far. Malgorzata loved dancing, classical music, and impressionist painting. When not working, she and Jerzy traveled as often as they could, exploring many countries and cultures across six continents, including visits to India, China, and hiking up Machu Picchu.

Malgorzata is survived by her children, Renée Duseau and Hugh Pfabé, Renée’s husband, Paul, her grandchildren Douglas, Alethea, Alexis, David, Ethan, Rebekah, Brianna, and Curran, two great-grandchildren Grayson and Asher, her nieces Hala, Magda, and Ola in Egypt, and her nephew Marek in Poland. She was predeceased by her husband, Jerzy, her parents, her beloved sister Ula, her sister-in-law Teresa, her brother- in-law Safwat, and her niece, Ewa.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, January 7, from 9am to 11am, at Czelusniak Funeral Home at 173 North St., Northampton, MA. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association ( https:// www.lbda.org/ ) or to the American Institute of Physics Foundation ( https://foundation.aip. org/ ). Please go to CZELUSNIAKFUNERALHOME. COM for online condolences.