Remembering Vipa
by Dr. Alma Barranco-Mendoza ’90 and Silvia Caicedo ‘91
Dr. Vilailuk (Vipa) Tiranutti ‘91
1972-2020
Throughout our lives, people would come and go; some would just pass by quickly, others would stay in our lives a little while, and others would leave an indelible mark in our hearts and souls. Vipa is one of those unforgettable people. Her signature sweet and shining smile, always frank and always present for everyone in every situation, will be forever indelible in the minds and hearts of those who knew her.
Dr. Vilailuk (Vipa) Tiranutti was born May 27, 1972 in Bangkok, Thailand, where she grew up, until her adventurous spirit brought her to Canada in grade eleven to finish high school at Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific, in Victoria, BC. Even as a teenager, her sense of adventure led her on a cross country road trip from Victoria to Montreal in the winter of 1989. One of her two friends that travelled with her then, mentioned how positive and optimistic she always was no matter the weather, the stops, the nights on the bus, and the rough travelling. And, in fact, that describes her personality throughout her life.
In 1991, she moved to Peterborough, ON, when she received the Jack Matthews International Scholarship to pursue her undergraduate degree in Business Administration at Trent University. She was a very active member of the Trent and Peterborough communities through the Trent International Program (TIP), Lady Eaton College, the Trent International Student Association (TISA), and the Kawartha World Issues Centre. She was the recipient of the 1991-92 International Student Award —now called the Hulcoop Cup, presented to a first-year student in recognition of outstanding contributions to the international life of the University— and she was a member of the 1992-93 TISA executive. She was instrumental in helping prepare the first batch of Trent students who went to Thailand for one academic year as part of the Trent Study Abroad Program. Those of us who had the pleasure of sharing those Trent years with Vipa will never forget her gracious annual Thai dance at Cultural Outreach, the incredibly delicious dishes she made for International Dinner and her infinite patience teaching us how to fold the little paper lanterns we would set afloat every year on the Otonabee River to celebrate Loi Krathong (and then, always environmentally conscious, she would make us fish them out, everyone of them, even in the wee hours of the night at November freezing temperatures).
After Trent, she continued her adventures and obtained an M.A. degree in Economics from Yokohama National University, in Japan, and a Ph.D. in Political Economy from University of Newcastle upon Tyne, in England. She collaborated as a subject matter expert and a language editor in many projects and publications on Trade, Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture, and Women’s livelihood. Her work included the Solidarity-Center, an NGO set up by the American Trade Union AFL-CIO, to support workers’ rights in Thailand; the International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) in Bangkok where she and her colleagues carried out trainings on the WHO and the international grade regime and free-trade agreements; and finally as a Program Officer for the European Union Delegation in Thailand where she dealt, among others, with projects concerning the EU-Thai Chamber of Commerce.
With her bright and open wings, Vipa covered almost the whole planet in search for adventure, knowledge, and joy. Along the way, she painted, wrote, sketched to make sense of the world around her - that grew smaller each year.
Sadly, her bright light was dimmed too early when she passed away on September 11th, 2020 after a long battle with a health condition. She is survived by her mother Panida Tiranutti, her brother Winai Tiranutti and her husband Jerome Hassler. Her family and friends, around the globe, miss her dearly.
In her memory, her Trent friends and family invite you to donate to the Trent Alumni Emergency Student Fund, to support students in financial difficulty, one of the few funds available to International students in need. Donations can be made online.
Dr. Vipa Tiranutti ‘91 with her husband Jerome Hassler and her mother Panida Tiranutti.
Dr. Vipa Tiranutti ‘91 receiving the International Student Award from 1991-92 TISA executives Dr. Deryck Persaud ’89 and Dr. Alma Barranco-Mendoza ‘90.
1992-93 TISA Executive: (left to right, front row) Dr. Vipa Tiranutti ’91, Silvia Caicedo ’91, Holly Buchanan ’91, Christine Harmston ’91, Chantal Wolf ’91, (back row) Anne Marie Sheppard ’91, Dr. Edward Hudson ’91.
Dr. Vipa Tiranutti ‘91 showing one of her paintings.