In Memory of . . . Lee Devoe Greiner (1959-2014)
The Rev. Lee Devoe Greiner died on October 18, 2014 at the age of 55.
Lee was born on May 29, 1959 to Arthur and Ann Greiner. She graduated from Middlebury College, with a Bachelor of Arts degree, in 1991, and from the Pacific School of Religion, with a Master of Divinity Degree, in 1995.
Rev. Devoe Greiner was ordained by the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society of Middlebury, VT, in 1996. She was called as the first full-time minister to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Idaho Falls, ID, in 1996, and she served the congregation until 2004. She went on to serve as associate minister to the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa from 2005 to 2006; interim minister to the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Augusta, ME from 2006 to 2009; interim minister to All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church of Kansas City, MO from 2009 to 2010; and interim minister to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Upper Valley of Norwich, VT from 2011 to 2013.
Rev. Devoe Greiner served the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association (UUMA) as a Chapter Leader to the Northeast UUMA Chapter from 2007 to 2009. She helped the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) develop its policy on ethical eating and humane treatment of animals, and was active in regional ministerial groups and the Interim Ministers’ Guild.
Lee treasured both the earth and its people. She spent the last few years of her life living on a home atop Bethel Mountain, VT, with grounds covered in flowers, fruits and vegetables – she found joy in tending to the land. Her daughter, Eliza, lived with her throughout the past two years, and her other daughter, Jamaica, and her family lived close by. Lee was a loving and devoted mother and relished the time she spent with her children and grandson.
Lee was a lifelong learner and kept a vast library of books on religion, spirituality, and travel. Her sense of adventure and purpose led her to study Arabic in Morocco, Sufism in Turkey, and teach at a camp for war-traumatized children from the former Yugoslavia.
UUA Transitions Director, Rev. Keith Kron, writes:
“On a more personal note, Lee was also my dear friend. We could not get together without much laughter, stimulating conversation, and deep affection. She had an infectious gift for loving life, making the most of a situation, and being able to see what possibilities might be ahead. She passed this onto me and countless others…. I always looked forward to our time together, even when life was hard. That was because Lee was, what every good minister strives to be, a source of hope.”
She is survived by her three children, Jamaica Burns Griffin (Ferron), Ben Burns (Jennifer) and Eliza Burns; grandson, Skye Devoe Griffin; mother, Ann Brousseau; sisters, Michael Ann Greiner (Jim Muller) and Mary Conlon (Peter); and stepmother, Joan Greiner.
A memorial service was held at 5:00 P.M on November 7th, at the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society, 2 Duane Court (at Charles Avenue), Middlebury, VT 05753.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Unitarians for the Ethical Treatment of Animals at uuam.org, or the Arts Bus Project, c/o Kimball Library, 67 Main St., Randolph, VT 05060 or artsbusvt.org.
Condolences may be sent to Eliza Burns, 171 Campbell Road, Bethel, VT 05032. Online condolences may be left at www.dayfunerals.com.