April 7, 2010

Dear Friends,

With profound sorrow, I must inform you that Pastor Darlene Grega has passed away. 

Pastor Grega was a beloved member of the Valparaiso University family, and we mourn the loss of someone who cared deeply for the members of this community.  Our sympathy and prayers are with Pastor Grega’s son,
Nathan, her extended family, and her many friends here at Valpo and beyond. 

I invite all members of the campus community who desire to come together for support and to remember Pastor Grega to join me at tonight’s Celebrate! service at 10 p.m. in the Chapel of the Resurrection or at tomorrow’s morning prayer service at 11:15 a.m. in the chapel.  Chapel and counseling services staff will be available at
both of these services and offer support to anyone in need during this time of grieving.

Pastor Grega has been a friend to many and generously served our campus community since joining our chapel staff less than two years ago.  In particular, she provided significant counsel and support to women and to the LGBTQ community on our campus and built relationships with our international students to help them feel welcomed here. Pastor Grega provided leadership for the University’s residential ministry and the Fellowship House. She counseled many others.  

As a caring community, I ask each of you to support and care for your fellow students and colleagues as we mourn for Pastor Grega.  I encourage anyone in need of spiritual or emotional support to speak with
Pastor Joseph Cunningham or Pastor James Wetzstein by contacting the chapel office at ext. 5093, or to speak with our Counseling Center staff by calling ext. 5002.  If you need to speak with someone during non-business hours (5 p.m. to 8 a.m.), you may contact Director of Counseling Services Stewart Cooper at (219) 464-0311 during the next 48 hours. Additional information about Valpo’s counseling services is available online at http://www.valpo.edu/counseling/.

Pastor Grega will be remembered for the many lives she touched and the myriad gifts she shared with our community.  We must now care for one another and those loved ones she leaves behind. May God bring comfort
and peace to all who mourn and may God’s boundless grace and thepromise of Easter extend to our beloved sister in Christ Jesus.

Sincerely,

Mark A. Heckler
President

See the video from her memorial service at the Chapel of the Resurrection or read the sermon.