EMILY SUSAN LINGEN
April 22, 1979 - May 16, 1999

Emily Susan Lingen, daughter of Gary and Linda, was a member of Church of the Earth national-coven-at-large. Emily passed away suddenly as the result of a previously undiagnosed infection related to mononucleosis. Her memory and her contributions will live on in the hearts of the many lives she touched during her tour of this world.

Though Emily left this world at a young age, she already had worked hard for the acceptance of young people within the Craft community. Her spirituality was mature and she often was described as an "old soul" with much to teach others, regardless of their physical tenure in this world. It is because of these qualities and her contributions that we celebrate her memory with this memorial.

Emily had been active in the Northern Dawn-area local Pagan community, and also had made some contributions to the Covenant of the Goddess nationally. Her presence among the young people was strongly felt by her peers as well as her elders in the Twin Cities, at Pagan Spirit Gathering and the Return to Avalon festival communities.

Emily's most visible contribution within the Covenant of the Goddess was as a part of the ritual planning for CoG's national convocation, Merry Meet. She enacted a leading role in the ceremony which celebrated the passing of the mantle of responsibility from the old national board to the new board at Merry Meet 1997 hosted by Northern Dawn Local Council. Her contributions to the tone and structure of this celebration were significant, and clearly showed that though she was only here for twenty or so years, her love of the Craft and the Craft community was one that she considered important in her life, and which had helped to shape who she was from a very young age. Emily's part in the Craft began almost at her birth, and she served as a joyous community focus for the budding Craft community of Madison, Wisconsin in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

In addition to Emily's work within the Craft, she was a student working toward a career in interpretation for the deaf, a field following closely the chosen careers of both her parents who work in the care and healing arenas. Emily's efforts to help others in this way was an outgrowth of both the spirituality, as well as the life attitude instilled by her parents.

Emily brought much joy to her family, and it is a testament to her individuality and creativity that she continues to do so, long after her passing. Though we all share the sorrow of any loss, Emily's parents Linda Lingen and Gary "Earthkin Brothersong" Lingen--along with the Northern Dawn Local Council community--ask that Emily1s legacy be one of celebration, not of mourning. Her time among us is seen as a blessing by those who knew and loved her. Emily's presence remains a real one to her friends and family, and we thank you for keeping her memory a living and growing celebration of life.

(The dragonflies on this page are intended to symbolically echo the tale of the dragonfly larvae who see their friends--one by one--transform and pass from the pond, through the surface of the water, and fly through the air in the bright sun of morning.)
 
 

	EMILY by Lizzy Gross, May 1999 (Lizzy is one of Emily's closest friends) I feel her flying with the kites for she could never be held down and though it seems that we have lost her I know some day she will be found. She stole my heart the day we met and more the day we had to part and though she's gone from this wide world forever she'll be in my heart.
	ON GOSSAMER WING by Lorelei Boadicea Tomyris, 1983 (Lorelei is an old and dear friend of the Lingen family) On the gossamer wings of a dragonfly, Two faeries with me, we sailed on by The dreams and schemes and little white lies, In a world, by day, concealed from eyes. Past toadstool houses and fern tree fronds, Past cities of blossoms and oceans of ponds, Where each falling raindrop seemed big as a pond, We freed ourselves from conventional bonds. When, at last, we returned and looked about, The faeries did shriek and cry and pout, And dismayed with reality, I did shout (Of that these could be but little doubt). My dream had ended all too soon, My gaze intent, I wished on the moon. On paper 'twas etched in another rune: To return to that other world, was my boon.

 

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