In Memory of Jeanne Marie Pupke (May 26, 1955 – February 9, 2022)
Rev. Jeanne Marie Pupke died on February 9, 2022, at the age of 66.
Jeanne was born on May 26, 1955, in Mineola, NY to a Catholic household. She was the oldest of seven children. Growing up in a Catholic family and attending Catholic schools strongly impacted her early years. She drank deeply from the stories of faith and liberation theology. After years of inspiration, she ventured into religious life as a Catholic sister. However, as the Church hierarchy became more conservative, she left the convent and began a business career.
When Jeanne attended a Sunday service at the First Unitarian Church in Portland, OR, she knew she had found a spiritual home. In Unitarian Universalism, she found the freedom to integrate her values with a faith community that honored her intellectual integrity, theology, and spirituality. She served on the Board of the Portland church from 1999 to 2001. Her involvement with Unitarian Universalism reawakened her desire to serve in ministry. She responded to this call by applying to Meadville Lombard Theological School. In 2004, she graduated with a Master of Divinity degree.
Rev. Pupke was ordained on April 5, 2005, by Cedars UU Church, Bainbridge Island, WA. From 2004 to 2006, she served as consulting minister to the UU Fellowship of Central Oregon, Bend, OR. Her ministry at Central Oregon was marked by increased congregational participation in community activities, social action, and interfaith work. One expression of that work was the fundraising they did to buy a fishing boat for an Indian Ocean tsunami victim. As a result of its renewed energy, the church grew and moved into its first home. During this time, Rev. Pupke’s denominational services included serving as an Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest UU Growth Fund (2005-2022).
In 2006, Rev. Pupke was called to the First UU Church of Richmond, VA, where she began a sixteen-year ministry. As the senior minister, Rev. Pupke increased the church’s visibility as a voice for social justice. Under her guidance, the Social Responsibility Council redefined itself and its activities adopting a theme of racial and economic justice. Rev. Pupke made sure that the church had a presence at every protest event in the community. She actively fought against the passage of an anti-gay marriage amendment to the Virginia constitution and made that commitment visible by displaying an inclusive marriage banner on the church building. After marriage equality was achieved, the congregation replaced that banner with one that declared that, even in the former Capital of the Confederacy, Black Lives Matter.
Rev. Pupke’s understanding of organizational dynamics, big-picture thinking, and clear plans enabled the congregation to grow its membership, develop its staff, increase financial and emotional stewardship, and renovate its building all while modeling healthy community-building. She successfully lobbied the church leadership to resume paying Fair Share to the UUA. She made the congregation historically conscious of its position in the community and its ability to make a “real” difference. She inspired change within the congregation through her sermons on growth, stewardship, radical welcoming, and building the beloved community. She was equally concerned about issues such as racial equity, peace, and economic justice, yet she remained apolitical and respectful of others’ views.
As a founding member and a director of the UU Legislative Ministry in Virginia, Rev. Pupke frequently testified at the Virginia General Assembly for racial justice, women’s, LGBTQI, and youth rights. In a city with serious racial injustice, Rev. Jeanne led her congregation’s partnership with the African American gospel choir Nu Beginning and a majority Hispanic elementary school, Cardinal Elementary. Through her leadership, the congregation launched Richmondpledge.org, a community-wide effort to end racism.
As a ministerial internship supervisor and a member of the Meadville Lombard Theological School’s Board of Trustees, Rev. Pupke had an unfailing commitment to teaching ministerial students to grow the faith. One of her favorite activities was a theological reading and discussion group she started for all UUs in the area interested in ministry. Her ministerial peers and interns have named her a bright light and faithful and dedicated servant of God. Her integrity and commitment to doing the right thing inspired many.
In other denominational affairs work, Rev. Pupke facilitated many Southeast District and national meetings, offered her assistance to many churches in Virginia, and provided leadership to the Virginia Cluster of ministers. In addition, Rev. Pupke served a four-year term on the UUA Board of Trustees (2009-2012), where she chaired the Finance Committee. She ran as a candidate for UUA president in 2017.
Rev. Pupke demonstrated her compassion and leadership when responding to the death of the UU minister in Norfolk. She traveled to the Norfolk congregation weekly to provide ministerial and board support on her day off. She engaged the Richmond UU Lay Pastoral Care Team and her interns to provide pastoral, worship, and moral support. Showing up to help in times of need was a cornerstone of Rev. Pupke’s theology and practice.
Her favorite hobby was spending the morning at the Farmer’s Market and the afternoon in the kitchen producing a delicious, leisurely meal for friends and family. She liked gardening, writing and reading poetry, and having long philosophical and theological discussions.
Jeanne is survived by her mother, Ruth Webb Pupke, and her siblings: Eileen Duggan, Donald Pupke, Jr (Nancy), Daniel Pupke, Robert Pupke (Heather), Margaret Digena (Joseph), Christine Edwards (Chris), and very many nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her spouse of 28 years, Regina Largent, and her sisters Michelle (Bill) Barris and Renee Ray. She was preceded in death by her father, Donald V. Pupke.
A memorial service was held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1000 Blanton Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221. The service can be watched online here. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Rev. Pupke to The Richmond Pledge and First Unitarian Universalist Church at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1000 Blanton Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221.
Notes of condolences can be sent to Regina Largent at 7807 Granite Hall Ave, Richmond, VA 23225.