by Winnie Pelser
The Operations Research Society of South Africa (ORSSA) is very sad to announce the passing of a loved member of our Society, Sumarié Koetsier (née Meintjes). Sumarié became a member of ORSSA in 2014. She studied at the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Pretoria (UP). She was awarded the Gerhard Geldenhuys Medal for her final year project. On completion of her undergraduate studies, she joined the Department as a graduate research assistant in 2015. She continued with her Masters degree studies at UP. Sumarié obtained her honours as well her master’s degrees with distinction. On completion of her master’s degree, she joined the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 2016.
Sumarié became a member of the Pretoria Chapter Executive Committee in 2015 as Additional Member and later as Secretary. She was elected as Chapter Chair from 2017 to 2018. She was also the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee for the ORSSA conference where she organised an excellent conference. Sumarié together with Quintin van Heerden started the Lean Analytics Meetups in Pretoria. In June 2019 she joined FREI One Digital (Pty) Limited. Sumarié gave birth to her and husband Cornelis' daughter Liya in June 2021. She unfortunately contracted Covid-19 and passed away after a five-week battle in hospital on 18 July 2021. Our most sincere condolences to Cornelis, their baby Liya, her family, friends and colleagues. We will remember her beautiful smile, excellent work ethic and remarkable personality.
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