Joan Pellegrinian out lesbian, resident of Berwyn and member of Euclid Ave. United Methodist Churchrecently died at 76 after a career working at Acme Steel and many years of volunteering in her community.
The event that helped Pellegrini embrace herself as a lesbian for the first time was her trip in 2000 to the Millennium March in Washington, D.C., for LGBT visibility and awareness. It was during the journey to D.C that Pellegrini met a woman (who lived in Oak Park at the time) who told her about the affirming atmosphere at Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church. That trip resulted in Pellegrini coming to the church for the first time.
When Pellegrini joined the church 11 years ago, she found a new family among church members after her mom disowned her for coming out of the closet. (She had a nice relationship with her dad but he died when she was young.) Pellegrini's mom had a history of cutting family members out of her life; however, Pellegrini was just the opposite. She liked people, especially the kids at the church whom she knew by name and grade level. A meticulous record-keeper, Pellegrini wrote down everyone's birthdays and anniversaries in her calendar and would send everyone a birthday card each year.
Reaching out to people was in Pellegrini's blood. According to Pastor Marty Scott of Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church, "Many times she would be the first person at the church on Sunday preparing all the food and drinks [that she paid for herself] for social hour after the worship services." Susan Greenberg, a friend of Pellegrini, said, "Joan was generous to a fault, open hearted, intelligent, and loved history and people. She was generous even when she didn't have enough money to support herself because she was constantly giving money to causes at the church that needed help." Susan King, her friend and neighbor for the last six years of her life, called her "fruitmeister" because of Pellegrini's love of food, especially fruit and baked goods.
Pellegrini was an integral part of church life as the president of the church's United Methodist Women chapter, member of Wednesday's prayer ministry and the church's financial secretary. In her role as financial secretary, she recorded everyone's offering and attendance each week following Sunday services.
Not only was Pellegrini active at the church, but she was also a volunteer and treasure for both the Friends of the Berwyn Public Library and BUNGALO (Berwyn United Neighborhood Gay and Lesbian Organization). BUNGALO honored her service (she was also a member of their board of directors) by buying a brick inscribed with her name along the path between the parking lot and the library (where BUNGALO holds its meetings).
During her memorial service, a steady stream of people came up to the front of the church to share remembrances of her. Since Pellegrini had such a love for food, her memorial service incorporated recipes which were laid out like a meal in the order of worship. Everyone who attended got to take home copies of the recipes when they left the service. Due to her limited finances (Social Security benefits were the only source of income at the end of her life), Pellegrini's body was going to be put in a paupers grave, however church members donated money so she could have a proper burial.
"Joan left behind the idea of celebrating the inclusive love of god. She knew what it felt like to be on the margins of acceptability but she used that to reach out to others who were on the margins of society," said Scott. Even in death, Pellegrini helped people who were less fortunate. West suburban PADS was the beneficiary of a number of her household items and furniture. Those items helped partially outfit three apartments for formerly homeless people so they could get on their feet. Also, Howard Brown's Brown Elephant store received some of her household items following her death. Lastly, fellow parishioners were able to take some of her personal effects as a remembrance of her life including her collection of about 50 vintage replica model cars which were given to the kids at the church.