“Always for others.”
It was a mantra the Rev. Emily Preston of Jaffrey lived by, and a sentiment she brought to her ministry at the United Church of Jaffrey while serving there for 20 years as minister.
Preston died at the age of 82 on Feb. 12 at the Monadnock Community Hospital, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and a endless pursuit of justice. Prior to moving to Jaffrey in the 1970s, Preston was active in the Civil Rights Movement and she carried forward that spirit the rest of her life.
“She never hesitated to jump in and take a stand when she thought an injustice was being done, or if she thought someone wasn’t being treated properly,” said Preston’s longtime friend Marc Tieger. “She would say, ‘There’s a better way to do it, and I’m going to try to do it.’”
Preston used that drive to participate in the Bridges for Peace project, to bring refugee families from Cambodia and Vietnam to settle in Jaffrey. She also served on the board of the Belfast Kids Program, which brought Protestant and Catholic youth from Ireland to the United States for a six-week program to build relationships and work toward peace.
Her efforts were also felt close to home, where she created a homeless shelter and the food pantry at the UCC Church in Jaffrey and ran the Juvenile Diversion Program through the Jaffrey District Court. She also was instrumental in bringing a Meals on Wheels program to Jaf frey, and served as a delivery driver for many years.
Susan Ashworth, director of community relations for Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services, said Preston’s drive to help was striking from the first moment they met.
“I first met Em over 40 years ago, and from my first meeting was always in awe of her passion to see that things get done to help others,” Ashworth said. “She was the driving force behind the Jaffrey Meals on Wheels program for decades, organizing drivers, reaching out to those in need of the service and delivering meals herself. Her compassion and energy to see Meals on Wheels get off the ground and continue for decades was truly remarkable.”
Preston’s friend, Pat Bullock of Jaffrey, said she touched many people throughout her life, and had a way of leaving a mark wherever she went.
“Any contact she had with people, they would always remember her,” Bullock said. “Anyone she helped remembered her, because she was so kind and helpful to everyone. It didn’t matter who they were.”
Bullock said Preston had a special connection with children, and said she had built lasting memories for the children in her church youth group.
“She took those kids everywhere,” Bullock said. “The kids in the youth groups really remember her and those moments. She loved to play with kids. She liked to have fun and play games.”
Preston’s friend Owen Houghton, whose son was in one of those youth groups, said his first introduction to her impact on the town came before they even met. When he and his wife moved to Jaffrey in 1975, they drove an orange Volvo, and were struck by just how often they were waved to while driving through town.
“We thought, ‘Oh, this is a really friendly town,’” recalled Houghton. Then they went to church at the United Church of Jaffrey and realized that Preston also drove an orange Volvo.
Houghton said he remembers when in 1994, the United Church of Jaffrey became one of the first United Church of Christ churches in the state to adopt an Open and Affirming stance, welcoming parishioners who were lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer.
Tieger said that was typical of Preston – that she was open to everyone. Tieger, who is Jewish, was invited by Preston to participates in the church’s interfaith ceremonies, which until that point had only represented the various sects of Christian churches in town.
“She helped me personally to feel comfortable in my own religion,” Tieger said. “And really helped me with my own identity as a Jewish person. She was a faith-filled person. Justice is what she was all about. Things that other people wouldn’t pay much attention to, she would listen to and espouse their causes. She was a very strong woman.”
A memorial service will be held on June 4, at 1 p.m. at the United Church of Christ, 54 Main St., Jaffrey.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.