Preserving the Dignity of the Forgotten

Sister Beth LeValley holds her award alongside Sisters Sharon Bailey and Sheila Connor

Sister Beth LeValley was recently recognized for her dedication to preserving the dignity of those often forgotten in death. On May 3, the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Rochester presented Sister Beth with the William C Klein Consumer Advocates Award during its annual conference to honor her work through the Burial Services Initiative.

In 2012, Sister Beth spearheaded the initiative through the Greater Rochester Community of Churches to help organize burials for people in Monroe County who died without family or resources to pay for their funeral. Since then, Sister Beth and her team have overseen hundreds of burials, most of which have taken place at the Oatka Cemetery in Scottsville.

Additionally, Sister Beth and her team host a community memorial service each year to collectively honor the lives of those they have buried during the past year. This year’s service, originally scheduled for February but postponed due to weather, was held on May 4. Sisters Judy Greene, Monica Weis, and Donna Cucci also joined in the remembrance gathering while several other Sisters attended.