Servane was a visionary, a universalist and a humanist. As an historian, Servane had learned from past centuries to consider how to build for the centuries to come. Like Pierre Firmin-Didot and her husband Jean de Mathéus who had created Chartres, sanctuaire du Monde, Servane pursued the dream of increasing the influence of Notre-Dame de Chartres beyond the borders of France and Europe. In 2005 that dream became reality. All it took was crossing the Atlantic with her husband Jean, her irresistible power of conviction and a lunch in New York with Monika Riely. Thus was born the association American Friends of Chartres, the sister organization of Chartres, sanctuaire du monde, as we like to say.  Servane became the president of Chartres, sanctuaire du Monde in 2000, and for the next 20 years, she led the organization with remarkable vision, stamina and innovation, even as she battled cancer.

Servane’s life epitomized love, universal friendship and Peace. Visits for AFC donors were ecumenical meetings of Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, atheists and many others. She welcomed all, regardless of their beliefs. The most recent event was organized by our two associations in honor of Eugene Schulz , a WWII American veteran who was awarded the Legion of Honor and participated in the liberation of  Chartres and Lèves. Despite her fatigue, Servane pronounced poetic words of welcome, in English. Until the end, Servane dedicated her energy to the conservation of Notre-Dame de Chartres. She believed in passing the torch of “Cathedral Builders” who span centuries, cultures and beliefs.  In the words of Monika Riely, AFC’s founder and first President: “The light Servane created for Chartres in the United States will never be extinguished.”  We will miss her, yet she remains our source of inspiration. We will continue her work and conserve her legacy.