Dear OE Colleagues of all generations,

Joe and I have just returned from attending the glorious celebration of the completed life of Peter Adams Whitney.  The service was held on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at Burke Mountain Academy in East Burke, VT, longtime home of Peter, his wife Carol, and daughters Maya and Joleil. 

Joining Anna and Dick Stanley, and of course Ken and Clare Whitney, Joe and I represented the OE “first generation.”  I would like to offer this as an initial reflection, trusting that members of our “second generation” will have much more to share with video and digital photos documenting this amazing event.

We didn’t know Peter as well as we had, in the past, many of his close OE contemporaries who were participants in the celebration – Keith Boivin, Nancy Griffin, Brad Grow, Brenda Johnson, Andy St. Clair, Denise and Rick Stanley and Pete’s bro, Mark.  But yes, we came to know him more recently -- probably lots through his parents Ken and Clare, dear friends since the early days of the Movement in New England, who, more recently, often stayed with us in ME en route to their regular visits to East Burke, VT.

Nevertheless, I’m guessing all of the 300 or so people gathered at Burke Mountain Academy, like us, learned much more about this unique and unrepeatable bundle of energy, love, commitment, passion and care that is Peter Adams Whitney’s continuing gift to life itself.  As affirmed by those who eloquently offered words of remembrance in the service, Peter’s legacy lives on in the powerful, positive influence of his life on everyone in attendance. 

We learned Peter’s legacy is one that speaks on behalf of justice and civic responsibility in the community, especially in support of ethical practices in the public sector workplace; that advocates for and leads the authentic, creative engagement of youth in sports, arts, drama; that adamantly insists upon consistent loving relationships with family and friends; that rejoices in the beauty of the natural world and urges living gently on planet earth; and that invites profound enjoyment of LIFE itself, just as it is.

I am attaching a part of the celebration program – the liturgy Peter Whitney and his childhood friend Peter Johnston, liturgist for the service, created together.

May we all give thanks for this well-lived life – Alleluia, alleluia, Amen!!

Grace and peace,

Marilyn

Marilyn R. Crocker, Ed.D

123 Sanborn Rd

West Newfield, ME 04095