Samantha Jade River (Jade)
July 20, 2020 - July 20, 2020
Obituary
MADISON-Samantha Jade River (Jade), age 70, of Madison, Wis., transitioned to spirit at 2:20 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2020.
Jade lived a life of service and creation. After graduating from Eastern Kentucky University with a BS in Administration of Private and Voluntary Agencies, she went on to devote herself to service to others through a variety of agencies including those for expanding employment opportunities for women in the skilled trades and serving as volunteer coordinator at the YWCA in Madison.
Her passion for supporting the spiritual awakening and empowerment of women led her to co-create the Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess (RCG), granted 501(c)3 status as a religion by the IRS. She served as the Executive Director of RCG from 1983 until her death.
Within RCG, Jade co-created and co-published Of a Like Mind, a journal for spiritual women which served an international Goddess community for 18 years.
She created the Women’s Theological Institute (WTI), a school founded to meet the spiritual needs of women pursuing goddess studies and to train and ordain clergy. To date 47 women have been ordained as priestesses.
She was an honored elder within her RCG and the wider international Goddess community. Countless women’s lives have been changed by her wisdom and her ability to solve problems by manifesting solutions.
In addition to her spiritual leadership, Jade was an accomplished singer. She performed as part of the ensemble “Triple Crescent.” They also recorded a CD of their music, “Songs in Celebration of the Goddess,” much of it original.
Her other musical ventures included co-founding Kissing Girls Productions, which put on Madison’s well known “Lesbian Variety Show” for the many years of its existence. She co-formed a women’s company, “LunaTech,” which provided on-the-job training for women in the skills of sound, lighting and staging at women’s concerts and other events.
For many years she served as Shuttle Co-coordinator at the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival,
She is survived by her wife of 15 years, Anne “Raven” Albrecht; her son, Casey Foshay (Ena); her granddaughters, Sadie and Beatrix; her two brothers; and countless friends and spiritual sisters.
Burial service will be private.
For behold, I have been with you from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.
Online condolences may be made at www.gunderson fh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
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Memories
JS
Judy S
Other •
Jade was my first boss. She was the director of a small non-profit and hired me on as bookkeeper. She was a great manager but numbers were not her friends, so she was always very appreciative of my work. She was a good boss and mentor; she knew what was important, but didn't sweat the small stuff.
A
Athena
Other •
My tears are bittersweet. They are mixed with both laughter at our late night ‘panels’ and sorrow because you are no longer here with us. My sweet Sistar, thank you for blessing Mother Earth with your presence and for all that you contributed to. Please watch over us. Blessings and Gratitude 🙏
L
Lyn
Other •
Sistar Jade...I will miss laughing with you! I am so honored to have had only beautiful and happy memories. I wish we had more time together in realm. But alas, we will have to wait until I'm there with you to crack some Pekpek power jokes. I wish you well on your journey through the stars. Rest well in the arms of the Goddess. Deepest condolences to your entire family.
RH
Rev. Ayla Heartsong
Other •
Sending support and solace to Raven, Casey, Ena, Sadie and Beatrix,
Connecting with the entire Re-formed Congregation of The Goddess - International,
and every person that learned something from this terrific teacher and organic organizer.
I am, selfishly I know, deeply grieving that the pandemic prevented me from traveling to her side during this transition, yet so grateful that I got to spend a lovely weekend with Jade (and Sadie!) this past February. My primary spiritual teacher since 1987, I will ' look for you by moonlight'....
SS
Stasia Shuttle
Other •
Dear Jade, I loved working for you on Shuttle Crew and the Lesbian Variety Show. I am saddened the earth has lost you. Sweet journeys....
D
Dory
Other •
So many memories. It has been two years since I saw Jade so this has come as a shock. I am sorry you did not have more time on earth. Rest in the arms of the Goddess.