Deborah Griffin Celley
d. February 14, 2014
Deborah Griffin Celley
Mankato Mortuary
1001 N. Riverfront Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
507-388-2202
Rev. Deborah Griffin Celley, age 50, of Mankato, died Friday, February 14, 2014, at her home.
A Celebration of Deborah's Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, February 21, 2014, at the First Congregational U.C.C. in Mankato, with Rev. Dana Mann officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Mankato Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Deborah was born on December 28, 1963, in Moline, IL, to Herschel & Margaret (Hvistendahl) Griffin. She grew up in Moline and retained fond memories of childhood events and friends. She left Moline to attend Elmhurst College receiving a BA in Psychology in 1986, and went on to earn a Master of Divinity degree from Eden Seminary in St. Louis, MO. She was united in marriage to Rev. Richard Celley on June 7, 1986, in Oak Park, IL. After her education was completed she was ordained by the Western Association of the United Church of Christ. Pastor Deb then served churches in Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota including 14 years as Pastor at 1st Congregational UCC in Brainerd, MN. She was called to serve as Lead Pastor at 1st Congregational UCC, Mankato in December of 2012.
She loved the church and the work of preaching and teaching. She was esteemed as a wise, humorous and gentle teacher and pastor by all who knew her. She particularly enjoyed the opportunity to be a professional and personal mentor to younger women. She was active in social justice ministries and civic engagement, especially as an early and tireless clergy voice calling for the human and civil rights of the GLBT community in Minnesota.
She enjoyed time with her children, her pets, her wonderful gardens, and a variety of handcrafts at which she was very accomplished, especially knitting and crochet. All across the world there are people who as babies received her beautiful booties, bonnets or blankets made with much love. She enjoyed the opportunity to welcome several foreign students into her home to nurture and affirmed their growth into the wonderful adults they have become.
She was stricken with a rare form of Lymphoma in the spring of 2013 and though she bravely fought against it finally died at home in the company of her beloved daughters and husband.
Deb is survived by her husband, Rev. Richard P. Celley of Mankato; two daughters, Julia Christine Celley of St. Paul and Jennifer Jordan Celley of Mankato; and a brother, Scott Griffin of Davenport, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents.
If you wish to make some memorial gift please consider your local church youth ministry, the Mayo Foundation, or just make your garden a little bigger or prettier. If you wish to send flowers to the memorial service please don't send Lilies.
1001 N. Riverfront Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
507-388-2202
Rev. Deborah Griffin Celley, age 50, of Mankato, died Friday, February 14, 2014, at her home.
A Celebration of Deborah's Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, February 21, 2014, at the First Congregational U.C.C. in Mankato, with Rev. Dana Mann officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Mankato Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Deborah was born on December 28, 1963, in Moline, IL, to Herschel & Margaret (Hvistendahl) Griffin. She grew up in Moline and retained fond memories of childhood events and friends. She left Moline to attend Elmhurst College receiving a BA in Psychology in 1986, and went on to earn a Master of Divinity degree from Eden Seminary in St. Louis, MO. She was united in marriage to Rev. Richard Celley on June 7, 1986, in Oak Park, IL. After her education was completed she was ordained by the Western Association of the United Church of Christ. Pastor Deb then served churches in Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota including 14 years as Pastor at 1st Congregational UCC in Brainerd, MN. She was called to serve as Lead Pastor at 1st Congregational UCC, Mankato in December of 2012.
She loved the church and the work of preaching and teaching. She was esteemed as a wise, humorous and gentle teacher and pastor by all who knew her. She particularly enjoyed the opportunity to be a professional and personal mentor to younger women. She was active in social justice ministries and civic engagement, especially as an early and tireless clergy voice calling for the human and civil rights of the GLBT community in Minnesota.
She enjoyed time with her children, her pets, her wonderful gardens, and a variety of handcrafts at which she was very accomplished, especially knitting and crochet. All across the world there are people who as babies received her beautiful booties, bonnets or blankets made with much love. She enjoyed the opportunity to welcome several foreign students into her home to nurture and affirmed their growth into the wonderful adults they have become.
She was stricken with a rare form of Lymphoma in the spring of 2013 and though she bravely fought against it finally died at home in the company of her beloved daughters and husband.
Deb is survived by her husband, Rev. Richard P. Celley of Mankato; two daughters, Julia Christine Celley of St. Paul and Jennifer Jordan Celley of Mankato; and a brother, Scott Griffin of Davenport, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents.
If you wish to make some memorial gift please consider your local church youth ministry, the Mayo Foundation, or just make your garden a little bigger or prettier. If you wish to send flowers to the memorial service please don't send Lilies.
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