CHERYL MCGAFFIC Spiritual nurse, counselor, volunteer chaplain, role model

From the classes she taught on death and dying to the UA students she counseled on loss and grief, death was always a part of associate nursing professor Cheryl McGaffic's life, as she was concerned about patients near death and lectured often on the special care that these patients must be given.

Spirituality was a focal point of McGaffic's life and she was nearing a transitional phase where she was planning on giving up nursing and becoming either an Episcopalian chaplain or pursuing a master's degree in divinity from UA, friends and family said.

"She strove to get students in touch with their spirituality so

students could pass that on to their patients. She believed every person had a spiritual side that transcended religion," said Linda Maerz, a family spokeswoman who spoke on behalf of Cheryl McGaffic's husband, Walter.

McGaffic embodied what it is to be a nurse, said McGaffic's friend, UA nursing professor Joann Glittenberg.

"She was not just a sitting at the desk, talking nurse. She was deeply concerned about patients and cried when they couldn't save people," she said.

Glittenberg felt that McGaffic's spirituality and gift to heal were so strong that they worked in her classroom to protect students after she was killed.

"When she left us, I think her angels came and directed his gun away from the other students. He had 250 rounds. Her last sort of will must have been to save the students. You always sensed that the students were first in her life," she said.

÷ Nate Buchik

BARBARA MONROE Inspirational, dedicated, bright and passionate

Barbara Monroe was known for her dedication to her students, her bright personality and sense of humor.

Monroe, 45, came to class dressed as a hospital patient for a Halloween costume contest at the college.

"Barbara was the most inspirational person and was never afraid of anyone," said Monica Pilar Lawrence, president of the Tucson chapter of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Monroe was a clinical assistant professor and critical care nurse educator at University Medical Center.

"She was described as a role model for all other nursing faculty," according to a statement by the Arizona Health Sciences College.

"She was passionate about what she did and challenged the students to learn," said Liz Gaalswijk, a former student in Monroe's critical care class at the University of Phoenix. "She was a special person and I hope that her husband and the community know what a loss it is to not have an educator like her in the community. The impact is phenomenal."

÷ Brittany Manson

ROBIN ROGERS Kind and caring wife, mother, teacher, researcher

Family, friends and students remember Robin E. Rogers as devoutly religious, very caring and a good professor.

Robin Rogers, 50, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and mother of two, met her husband, Phillip Rogers, in the Air Force at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, where they were both stationed in 1975. The couple celebrated their 25th anniversary in July.

"The memory I want for my wife is that she was a kind, caring person. Not only as part of the nursing profession, but in personal life as well," Phillip Rogers said. "She was great at her job, both when she was in the Air Force and as an instructor. She was also a great wife and a great mother. We'll miss her greatly."

Rogers was a clinical nursing assistant professor who began teaching at the UA in 1996. She received her certificate as a pediatric nurse practitioner at UA in 1979.

"I have a lot of memories. Just whether they be simple things or not. We enjoyed time together even if it was as quiet as sitting in the same room and reading," Phillip Rogers said. "It wasn't unusual at all for us to just be sitting there reading at the same time."