STEAC STORIES

July 21, 2020

It is not often that someone of extraordinary character, compassion and kindness enters your life — someone who is an unquestionably good person, who would drop everything to care for you or a stranger in need. Someone who embraces everyone unconditionally without judgement.

The Short Term Emergency Aid Committee was fortunate enough to have such a person. Lynne Rumery joined the STEAC family over 15 years ago. When we first met Lynne, we were struck by what a kind and caring person she was. Whether speaking to office staff or to a family struggling to put food on the table, Lynne would drop everything and give them her undivided attention. When you talked to Lynne, you felt like she would do anything to help you and the truth is, she would and did.

While Lynne was a volunteer, she felt more like staff. She was dedicated to STEAC. For a solid three weeks during the holidays, when most people are out shopping and taking time off, Lynne would literally block out all of her time to devote to the Holiday Program, making sure that each adoptee family was matched perfectly with their adopter family.

When office staff would go on vacation, Lynne would clear her calendar and cover the office. Or she would take care of their dog so they could get away to see an ailing parent. If someone had surgery and needed help going to and from their appointments, Lynne would gladly lend a helping hand making sure they were well cared for.

For almost two decades, she cheerfully trained office staff and referral agencies, registered students for STEAC’s Education Program, festively ran the children’s book distribution at the Holiday Program, and helped thousands of local families find food and shelter. Through all the years Lynne has been a consistent, compassionate and respectful representative of STEAC.

Lynne wasn’t one to seek attention or notoriety for her thoughtful gestures. In fact, she probably would not like us writing these kind words about her. Conversely, she was very generous with her own compliments and admiration which often felt underserved but somehow we felt we should live up to her praise — she made us all be better human beings.

We always knew when Lynne was coming into the office. We would hear her bound up the path with her dog Lucy, in tow, who would ultimately howl in delight to see everyone. We will always remember her cheerful hellos in the morning as she made sure to greet each person individually, generously sharing her warm smile and gracious spirit.

While Lynne’s sudden passing makes it hard for us to believe we will never see her again, we all hold her deeply and sweetly in our hearts, carrying her with us always in the way we reach out to struggling families, the way we treat each other, and the way we stop and truly listen to one another. We feel blessed and fortunate to have had her in our lives, and know it is rare to have such an extraordinary person grace the short time we all have together. Thank you, Thank you, Lynne Rumery. We love you always.