TRIBUTE

LAURENCE CORBEEL

Our dear colleague and friend, Laurence Corbeel, passed away on 27 July 2009 after a very brave battle against melanoma.

A native of Brussels, Belgium, educated at the “Université Libre de Bruxelles” and the Catholic University of Louvain, she began a successful career in “Partena”, a Belgian healthcare insurance company. Having successfully passed the National Competitive Recruitment Examination, Laurence started her career in the United Nations in the year 2000 as a Human Resources Officer in UNOG. From there she moved to the Staff Development and Learning Section in 2003 where she started work as a Programme Manager, before later taking over responsibility for the running of the Language Training Programme.

If we had to put a face on what it truly means to be a United Nations staff member, to embody the core values and principles of the organization and to truly believe in one’s work, it would be that of Laurence.

Laurence always gave the very best of herself, even when she had her own worries and fears to battle. She strived to look for the best in others. She always had time for you, to listen to your concerns, to offer guidance and advice. Her door was always open to everyone. She impressed all the people she met. Always smiling and positive, she took the everyday challenges she faced in her stride. She possessed a level of courage and bravery superior to that of anyone we know. For those who were privileged enough to work closely with her, she was much more than just a colleague, she was an extraordinary and very loyal friend. She genuinely cared about all her colleagues, just as they cared for her in return. Her professionalism never faltered and she was always ready to rise to a challenge.

It is difficult to come to terms with the fact that Laurence is no longer with us, that we will not see again that beautiful smile and enjoy her wonderful company. Our sincerest thoughts are with all of Laurence’s family and we can only hope that they can take some comfort in knowing that in her professional life, as in her private life, she was greatly admired and loved by her colleagues at the United Nations. The world is undoubtedly an emptier place without her, yet those who were privileged enough to work with and know her, feel as though they are better people for having had the opportunity to do so. She had that effect on you; she made you believe in yourself and always had the right words to make you feel better.

Laurence will never be forgotten, for her kindness, her sense of humour, her generosity, her loyalty, her professionalism, her sharp mind and most of all, for simply being Laurence. She was the greatest friend and colleague any of us could have ever wished to have. Our memories of Laurence will live on in our hearts forever.

She leaves behind her husband, Pierre Dupont, her 7-year old son, Thomas, along with her family from Belgium, who have provided us with a model of a supportive family whom we all admire and are proud to know.

During her illness, Laurence was followed by the “Institut Ludwig” (www.licr.org).
To help them continue their fight against cancer and advance with their research, donations can be made to the following account in memory of Laurence. In Switzerland, through the
Centre d’Oncologie du CHUV:
CCP 10-725-4, Dons cpte 2491
Pr. Speiser/O.M.
Laurence Dupont-Corbeel

The “Institut Ludwig” is uniquely financed by the donations it receives. You can also help support this cause by donating blood on a regular basis.

On behalf of her colleagues at the United Nations