the Rice Thresher

Issue date: 1/15/10 Section: News

Julia Fraser

Massage therapist Julia Fraser, who worked at the Wellness Center, died Dec. 24. She was 52.

The Wellness Center notified the Rice community of Fraser's death, of natural causes, via e-mail Jan. 4. A memorial service for Fraser was conducted in the Rice Memorial Chapel Tuesday.

Fraser joined the Wellness Center staff in January 2004 and found ways to share her interests with students, Wellness Center Director Emily Page said. Fraser integrated her lengthy experience with the spa industry and her own personal value into teaching LPAP 178: The Art of Relaxation.

"[Fraser's] approach in the classroom was to expand the notion of taking care of oneself and finding balance," Page said.

Students shared in Fraser's classroom enthusiasm.

"Her class was great, and she was always excited and down to earth," Baker College junior Lauren Rosenberg said. "She tried to make the information entertaining and fun to be in class."

This spring, Fraser was scheduled to once again teach the LPAP. The course will still be offered this semester with an instructor the Wellness Center selected.

Aside from her work at Rice, Fraser was known for her collection of maneki neko cats, cats that are placed in businesses as part of a Japanese tradtion. Fraser had one cat in particular that she kept in her massage room at Rice. It will remain there, Page said.

Fraser was also among the massage therapists who gave 10-minute massages to students during the President's and Dean's Study Break last semester.

For Fraser, her work at the Wellness Center was more than just a job.

"Rice had become a part of her life," Page said. "She enjoyed being on campus."

The Wellness Center is in the process of searching for a new massage therapist, and it hopes to offer the service again within the next month. Updates can be found on the Wellness Center Web site at wellness.rice.edu.

Students and faculty wishing to pay respects can visit the Wellness Center over the next few weeks to sign a print that will hang in the office. The Wellness Center has also made a donation in her name to the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Students hoping to make a donation in her memory can do so at the Houston SPCA Web site, houstonspca.org.

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