Ten years after... July 1st 2010 - Remembering Leslie Dauterman

So just who was Leslie Dauterman?

Leslie was a driving force in the early years of the Pagan Community Council of Ohio (PCCO). She was the binding force that held PCCO together during the '90's. Leslie came to the Pagan Community Council of Central Ohio with the organizational experience of having served as seneschal, or steward with the local Society for Creative Anachronism group at OSU. Leslie brought this experience to PCCO and established responsibility and accountability during her service as Outreach Chairman and later, as President. On many occasions, she assumed fiscal responsibility personally to assure that events could be held, paying the site reservation fees when our treasury was unable to meet that expense.

Leslie named many of the events that PCCO held during the '90's; events such as Brigid's Fire, Springbourne, Shadowmas, and Winterfire were her creations. Furthermore, the newsletter that was recognized as the best regional pagan newsletter of 1994, "YAPN – Yet Another Pagan Newsletter" was so named by Leslie to bring to an end a hours-long discussion of what to name the newsletter. She also contributed to the development of PCCO events - The Greening and Summerset; making suggestions for main guests and offering workshops that were unique and distinctly Leslie.

Leslie did not drive due to medical conditions; but she did not let that hold her back. Ultimately, these medical conditions contributed to her death in 2000. While she is no longer with us, her proud spirit touched those of us who were lucky enough to have known her.

During the '90's, Leslie served as PCCO's Outreach Chairman and often was the sole representative of PCCO at public functions. She was instrumental in putting together the Anti-Klan rituals held at the Ohio Statehouse before and after the KKK rally in the early '90's. She introduced a food drive “Cans, not Candy” for Mid-Ohio Food Bank during Beggar's Night in Columbus. She promoted a public Samhain ritual, “Take Back the Rite,” which was held at various downtown Columbus locations. Leslie's presence at the PCCO booth for ComFest was almost constant. Her energy and drive was hard to equal, though many of us tried to do so.

Leslie enjoyed these responsibilities, but most of all, she delighted in running the children activities at PCCO events and often paid for the crafting materials without asking for reimbursement. Children at PCCO events recognized her as a friend and confidant; often asking for her while their parents were checking into the event.

Additionally, Leslie was instrumental in running events; the planning and execution of a successful event often hinged upon Leslie calling individuals to assure that necessary actions were accomplished in a timely manner. Working herself ragged during an event was a given; she would often take shifts at registration and security back to back. Leslie helped with site preparation as well; she was something to see wielding a chain saw.

The Greening 2000

The Greening 2000 was held at Camp Wyandot over the Memorial Day weekend. Leslie had taken complete responsibility for this event, which was one of PCCO's most successful events. She personally arraigned much of the event preparations: lining up the guests, hiring the musicians and coordinating whom would lead the Main Ritual. Opening and Closing rituals she chose to lead herself. The Greening 2000 was a warm and open event that reflected Leslie's nature.

Leslie's Death

After The Greening 2000, Leslie returned to her usual work pattern that Tuesday, However on Wednesday, while waiting for her morning bus to work, she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. By the time she was transported to OSU Hospital, she had fallen into a coma from which she never recovered. She remained in that coma for four weeks and on July 1st 2000, life support was removed and she passed to the Summerlands shortly afterward.

Leslie was survived by her her father and her two sisters as well as her cat, Gracie (Burns) and her partner, Stacy B. Bartley. Her memorial service held at the First Unitarian-Universalist Church in Columbus was very well attended with many individuals traveling several hours to show their respect for Leslie.

I consider myself to have been blessed to have known her.