“I recommended for her to be one of the first portraits. She was a very thoughtful and kind person,” Counter said.

The portrait of Pian hangs in the first-floor living room in Bertram Hall in Cabot House, commemorating her long service to Harvard.

Though she retired in 1992, Pian has had a lasting impact on those she met and taught, former colleagues said.

"She served as an inspiration on how I treated my own doctoral students. I usually tell them the things she told me when I was a student," Provine said.

"I will miss our conversations not only as teacher and student but also as friends," Yung said.

A memorial gathering honoring Pian’s life will be held on March 30 at 4 p.m. in the Cabot House Living Room.

—Staff writer Kamara A. Swaby can be reached at kswaby01@college.harvard.edu.