AFN Remembers...

The giants who envisioned new and better ways for AFN to fulfill its mission. They will not be forgotten.

The Alliance Française de Nashville is 100% run by volunteers, and we couldn’t be the nonprofit we are today without our members. We appreciate their time, commitment, feedback, and support.

Here, we remember the giants who envisioned new and better ways for AFN to fulfill its mission. They are missed, and they will not be forgotten.

Elisabeth de Châtillon (1961-2025)

It is with profound sadness that we share that our long-time AFN friend, author and educator, Elisabeth de Châtillon, passed away on March 10, 2025, in Paris.

Elisabeth was such a lovely lady, with a contagious smile and a lot of wisdom.

She was passionate about teaching French to children and adults alike and a queen at connecting the learning experience with French healthy cooking from her own kitchen.

Our deepest condolences to her husband Ron, and her family in France. We will miss her.

Joan Harshman (1930-2023)

With great sadness, we announce the death of our long time AFN member, board member and friend Joan Harshman, on July 1^st 2023.

Joan was instrumental in organizing the French Conversation group on Saturdays many years ago.

It started in a coffee shop with just a handful of participants back in the nineties, and thanks to Joan and her passion for French, became one of our most popular events over the years.

We offer her family and friends our warmest sympathies.

online obituary (opens in a new window).

Steve Cobb (1944-2023)

Stephen Archibald Cobb, age 78, of Fort Myers, FL and Nashville, TN, passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2023. He was born on January 27, 1944.

Steve Cobb was an attorney practicing in Nashville, TN. A former member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, he dealt with the legislature for forty five years. Cobb represented the Tennessee Bar Association before the legislature as one of its legislative counsel and in the past devoted a substantial part of his practice to family law and immigration. He was a Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Association and a former president of the Nashville Bar. He taught at the University of Caen law faculty in France as a Fulbright Junior Lecturer.

He was instrumental in establishing the deep relationship between Nashville and Caen in France. You can hear Steve in his own words here (opens in a new window).

online obituary (opens in a new window).

Thomas Horton (1966-2020)

Years ago, Tom sashayed into AFN’s office for an evening of jeux de société. He didn’t know anyone there and hadn’t been personally invited, but he enjoyed competitions, trivia especially, and spoke excellent French--native speakers thought he was Belge—and by the end of the evening, he had a new pack of adoring francophone friends.

Tom was involved in the creation of Alliance Française de Nashville before majoring in French at Rhodes College and furthering his studies in Virginia and France, so it was natural for him to return and hold court.

He became a regular at AFN-adjacent events, where his wit and joy were evident and where he compelled us all to up our game. We will miss you immensely, Thomas Horton.

online obituary (opens in a new window).

Réjane Soucy (1927-2020)

Réjane Soucy was born in Montreal, Québec and used her bilingual skills to pursue a career, moving to Washington D.C., Huntsville, Alabama, and upon her retirement, Nashville, Tennessee. She shared her love of the French language by teaching employees at several companies including Square D and Schneider Electric, as well as tutoring many individual students who all became dear friends.

Réjane was known around Nashville as a fantastic dancer, and she found much joy from her association with the Alliance Française of Nashville. This is where she met many dear friends and the true love of her life, Joseph Parello. Réjane’s bright light will shine forever in the hearts and memories of the many people whose lives she touched.

online obituary (opens in a new window).

Kathy Ray (1932-2018)

Kathleen (Elizabeth) Wickes Ray died on February 14th, 2018 at age 85. Born in Ticonderoga New York (August 20, 1932) she was the beloved daughter of Francis Allen Wickes and Marion Rodgers Wickes. Her parents, her brother, Douglas Robert Wickes, and her husband, Dr. Oakley Ray, former professor of Psychology at Vanderbilt University, preceded her in death.

Mrs. Ray held a degree in languages from Cornell University in Ithaca New York. She began her teaching career in Pittsburgh Pa., where she and her husband moved after getting married in 1954. She her family then settled in the Nashville area in 1969. She taught French at Aquinas College but also German, Russian and Spanish until her retirement in 1997.

Her passion in life was languages, in particular French. Her greatest joy was to travel to France with either her husband or her daughter and simply tour from town to town. She was a devoted member of the board of Alliance Française.

online obituary (opens in a new window).