Book of condolences - Eva Sundin
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our colleague Eva Sundin, Professor of Psychology at NTU for 18 years.
The University understands how difficult it can be when we lose someone close to us. We have opened up this online book of condolence to bring together tributes for Eva.
If you would like to offer your condolences or pay tribute you are invited to leave a message on this page.
Eva joined NTU in 2006 as a Reader in Clinical Psychology and was appointed Professor on the Teaching and Practice Pathway in 2022. She had been living with multiple sclerosis for over 30 years and was more recently diagnosed with motor neuron disease.
Eva’s loss will be felt by many. Professor Daragh McDermott, Associate Dean for Psychology said:
“Eva’s commitment, tenacity and passion for Psychology, and for NTU, was an inspiration to us all. Despite being faced with significant challenges associated with her progressive illnesses, she did not let this knock her down and her drive to make things better for others meant that she was still an active member of the department throughout.
Her legacy will be long lasting through her teaching and research and the impact that she had on our staff and students. She will be missed.”
Eva was an absolutely remarkable individual, she was an amazing therapist who helped pull me out of one of the darkest pits of my life with care and professionalism, and I have no doubt that she did the same for many other people who were fortunate enough to have met her. I would not be around today if it wasn't for her.
Posted by Samuel Beck, 10 Feb 2025
I want it said plainly: If it weren't for Eva's immense competence in her field, I'd be either in a psychiatric ward, locked up in my room all day or maybe even deceased.
I owe her my life and will never get over the loss of someone who I considered the closest thing I had to the incarnation of my guardian angel.
Posted by Thomas Watson, 08 Jan 2025
Eva was my therapist and changed my life forever. Her insight and compassion helped me process a trauma I felt unconquerable. Her passing is a tremendous sadness. I only hope my story of her healing echoes in harmony.
Posted by Anonymous, 27 Dec 2024
My fondest memories of Eva include the wry smile I always got when I popped my head in her office to ask if she wanted an espresso fetching from the kitchen; her graciousness the time I dropped her on the floor when helping her into her office chair which had wheels and spun away from me without me realising but most of all how kind she was to me when my dad died and I was struggling to come to terms with it. What a mix of courageous, determined and compassionate Eva was. Much missed, rest in peace Eva.
Posted by Christine Norman, 13 Feb 2024
I worked with Eva for some time, but got to know her most in the last few years as Head, where we caught up regularly. I enjoyed getting to know her better in that time. Eva’s strength and resolve was incredible to witness. She was determined not to let her health impact her work, and to carry on contributing her thoughts, knowledge and expertise for as long as she possibly could, working long past the point where many others would have given up. I am glad that as a department, we were able to support her in this.
No matter how health impacted her, and how hard things were, she always seemed able to smile. To her credit she always managed to make her eyes light up at my poor jokes, or at anecdotes about my children whose ages were close to her grandchildren.
Despite all her health challenges, she never gave up, and she never complained. She is without doubt one of the most fiercely determined people I have ever met. We will all miss her.
Posted by Duncan Guest, 12 Feb 2024
Dear Eva, you were the first examiner during my stage 1 of my PhD. I will never forget your sharp mind and insightful comments. You were a most kind and balanced person. You left for pastures new but you also left a legacy of passion for science and support for those who need it. Our condolences to your family.
Posted by Melina Throuvala, 10 Feb 2024
As Head of Applied Psychological Practice, it was my great pleasure to line manage Eva for the last 18 months of her time with us at NTU. Her dedication to Psychology, her drive, focus, work ethic and refusal to allow illness to define her were all inspirational. We had a monthly line management chat but due to her health conditions our communications were limited to Teams chat only. However, despite the limitations, the conversations were intellectual and academic but also humerous and a lot of fun. I have only been at NTU a short while and my one regrett is that I never got the opportunity to meet Eva in person, that would have been a coffee to remember.
Posted by David Daley, 09 Feb 2024
I was on the interview panel that appointed Eva and published some papers with her. I have learned to face my own physical health battles in a way similar to Eva. You will be missed by many but your legacy will live on.
Posted by Mark Griffiths, 09 Feb 2024
I took a course with Eva a number of years ago. She was a true mentor. Eva was an insightful, strong and warm person. I will try to remember what I learnt from her. My condolences to her family.
Posted by Dr Leanne Timpson, 31 Jan 2024
Eva’s compassion for her fellow humans and her empathy made her one of a kind. She supported people she sometimes hardly knew. She was a truly inspirational human who had real impact on people’s lives. I am sure I am one of many hundreds of people who experienced firsthand her kindness and generosity. She will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Posted by Dr Maria Kontogianni, 24 Jan 2024
I am sorry to hear this very sad news about Eva. I first met Eva when she joined our College Research Degrees Committee soon after her arriving at NTU; Eva was the Psychology tutor, looking after PhD candidates in her subject area. I will remember Eva as someone who was always positive, measured and always smiling - Eva was such a pleasure to work with and a great colleague.
Posted by Professor Matt Henn, 23 Jan 2024
I am sorry to hear of Eva's passing. Whenever she contacted Digital Technologies for any assistance, she was always friendly and polite. She faced challenges with IT due to her illness which is how I came to communicate with her quite a few times however, this never deterred her from ensuring she could still do her job role and we worked together to make sure she could get on with her daily life without anything hindering her.
Posted by Kirsty Hilton, 18 Jan 2024
So sorry to hear this. With a mother-in-law who recently passed with MND, I understand the randomness of this devastating and cruel disease. I will miss Eva, a great academic and colleague.
Posted by Dr Nathaniel Golden, 18 Jan 2024
I was Eve's student at NTU when I studied my Psychology degree back in 2019. I am deeply saddened to hear of her passing. Eve is was an inspiration to us all... despite her health challenges, she kept going and pushing through. My deepest condolences for her family.
Posted by Karolina, 18 Jan 2024
Dear Eva, you were such a joy to have as a neighbour on the 4th floor. I miss your cheerfulness, your friendship, and the jokes about your espresso habit. What a wonderful colleague - what a loss for us all. xx
Posted by Carrie Paechter, 17 Jan 2024
It has been a joy working closely with you, Eva- and we will get those data collected!
Posted by John Groeger, 17 Jan 2024
I have known Eva and worked with her since she joined NTU in 2006. She was instrumental in building up our teaching and research in mental health. She cared deeply about the wellbeing of students and colleagues. Her research focused on vulnerable and neglected members of society and I was luck to work with her on several projects. She had a huge impact on the School and Department and will be missed by so many.
Posted by Thom Baguley, 17 Jan 2024
It was a pleasure knowing and working with Eva and my thoughts are with her family. She was an asset to the Department and the School of Social Sciences and she will be missed.
Posted by Di Bailey, 17 Jan 2024
I read about Eva's journey in her Conversation article last year. Her positive attitude and perseverance to carry on working and live her life as normally as possible was a true inspiration. My condolences to her friends, family and close colleagues.
Posted by Helen Breese, 17 Jan 2024
I was Eva's patient 11 years ago. She was the best therapist I have ever had and genuinely changed my outlook on life and how I dealt with difficult situations. I will never forget her formidable attitude, ability to get to the heart of the matter, humour, insight and compassion. My sincere and deepest condolences to her friends and family.
Posted by Sophia Smithers, 16 Jan 2024
Eva was a generous colleague when I first moved to NTU, supporting me with developing teaching on her new module that fitted perfectly with my previous field of practice - she will be much missed in NTU Psychology.
Posted by Mike Marriott, 16 Jan 2024
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Eva was an amazing person. I will always remember her for her compassion, strength and commitment.
Posted by Sofia Tsitsopoulou, 16 Jan 2024
I did not know Eva personally but obviously saw her around Chaucer fairly frequently navigating the usual hurly burly of the place. I very much admired her calm stoicism and fortitude as she went about her daily business. What amazing moral courage she exhibited as she did so - an example to us all.
Posted by Michael O'Neill, 16 Jan 2024