Our dear Asifa, rest in peace. She came to Oldfields School as an 8th grader in 1979, and graduated in 1984. She came from the Washington DC area and Tanzania. Her brothers, Amin and Adil, already living in the DC area felt that her education in Tanzania was not adequate and brought her to the Washington area for a better education. She spent some time in a DC school learning English and they then discovered Oldfields and interviewed with Hawley Rogers and Taylor Smith.

She entered as an 8th grader and became a favorite little sister of many, earning the nickname of Li’l Pip. She roamed the dorms, full of energy, and grew to love all and to play backgammon with many. A backgammon game sent to her by Kari Juul when she became sick was a treasure for her.

She graduated after making many friends and attended Hood College. She worked at banks in the DC area and was a branch manager, and was beloved by her customers. When Oldfields had problems during the 2008 economic downturn and Taylor Smith returned as Headmaster, Asifa rallied the OS alums in the DC and Baltimore area with Joan Carter and Pam Crowder-Thompson’s help. We had many fun gatherings in both cities and several “crab feasts” were included.

During that time, an alum, Sarah Greenhalgh was tragically killed. Again Asifa rallied with many of Sarah’s friends to have a memorial tree and ceremony on campus in her honor. She became a friend and support for Sarah’s Mom who lived in the Washington DC area.

Asifa enjoyed her life in the Bethesda/DC area. She loved to cook, post pictures on FB and share her Indian recipes. As she became sick and weaker she had visits from OS sisters, and a favorite teacher, Karen Miller. She had a wonderful gift of a walker by an OS sister, Cabell Warner Gorman.

We all miss her calls and FB posts, often sharing OS alum pictures. She revered her Mother and Father, brothers, Amin and Adil and her OS teachers and sisters. So many commented on her smile and her friendship. Allegra Knight-Byrnes summed this up in her FB tribute. “You were truly the best of us. You had the hugest heart of gold and never a cruel word crossed your lips. You were always supportive, giving and generous, even when your cup was not overflowing.”

Just as Asifa rallied on behalf of others, we would like to name a scholarship in her memory. Please consider a donation a donation to the Oldfields Fund in Asifa's memory or a donation to the new Asifa Hassam Scholarship Endowment. You may also split your donation providing both immediate and long term support for the future of Oldfields.

Tribute to Asifa Hassam

By Oldfields School Inc

Tribute to Asifa Hassam