The Faculty of Dental Surgery sadly mourns the loss of Dr Ethel Vento Zahra – a dear friend and colleague who served the Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Community Care with great dedication for many years.
Ethel was a wonderful team member who made many great contributions to the teaching of preventive and public health dentistry. She was instrumental in outlining the preventive units in the dental course when undergoing a complete restructuring to a modular format. She was also an active member of the National Oral Health Survey team, dedicating considerable hours to the laborious process of screening patients and data inputting. Her focus was always on the best interest of the students and the Department rather than on her own benefit, and her valuable input will not soon be forgotten.
While we weep over Ethel’s parting, we pay tribute and celebrate a life that was well lived. A life committed to public health and patients’ rights, challenging health inequalities and barriers to oral health, founded by a deep-seated passion for dentistry. Indeed, Ethel’s loss leaves a void not only in the Faculty of Dental Surgery, but also in the Dental Public Health Unit and the dental profession in general. Everybody knew Ethel as an affable, cooperative, supportive, helpful and dedicated colleague who would tackle all kinds of situations with calmness and professionalism. Those of us who worked closer to her will treasure the time spent together, the challenges, the laughter and, yes, also the disagreements that we had as active members of this tightly-knit academic family.
Beyond academia, Ethel took on several other commitments seriously, putting her heart and soul into everything she did. She achieved a great deal, not least in establishing and running her own private practice. Motivated by personal experience, she became an advocate for breast cancer awareness and research. During the Covid pandemic, whilst dealing with her disease, she became one of the front liners in the Superintendence of Public Health to the extent of being presented with the Award in Recognition for a High Level of Service in the Public Service in June of 2021. She was further honoured with the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika in December 2021 for her commitment and advocacy as a dedicated member of Europa Donna Malta for breast cancer patient rights.
Yet despite all her accomplishments, Ethel was a modest woman – a genuinely warm individual who remained forever humble, completely approachable, high-spirited without compromise and, as a consequence, universally respected.
She faced a challenge to her life by way of a grave illness, with great fortitude. In her typical quiet and calm manner, she showed how to work through trying times and to carry everyone along. Despite the physical difficulties, the psychological pain and other various challenges she had to face during her seven-year battle with metastatic breast cancer, Ethel continued to do her best to lead a normal life and continue to support anyone in need. She fearlessly fought till the very end. Although fully aware that the end was near, she still maintained her commitment towards the academic process, even maintaining her contribution to the examinations. Till a few days ago she was still correcting examination scripts and, with much regret, she had to withdraw from some of the oral examinations. A true definition of determination and courage. An image of strength and perseverance. Truly an inspirational example. This was really her biggest success of all – sharing positivity and spreading an appreciation for life.
The number of individuals who will feel the loss of Ethel is endless because she touched so many people’s lives, leaving an impact and a lasting impression in the minds of so many colleagues, friends and acquaintances. This is evident by the wave of social media posts by individuals from different backgrounds who have at some stage interacted with Ethel.
Life can be fleeting. But a life lived to the fullest stays in fond memories. Ethel, through her decorum and contagious smile, endeared herself to many. She has been taken too soon but her legacy will live on.
Our thoughts are with her husband Lawrence, her daughter Leah, her sister Yvette who is also one of our dental colleagues, her parents and all of her family who have suffered the greatest loss of all. We extend to them our heartfelt condolences and we wish them courage and strength to bear this irreparable loss.
