With deep sadness we say goodbye to Leah Warren Rugen. Leah died from cancer, in her sleep on January 21. Leah was born September 3,1962 in Yonkers, NY to Carolyn Warren Rugen and Robert Rugen. She was the oldest of three siblings. Leah spent her professional life as a devoted educator. She started this journey as a high school English teacher,and transitioned to a career in education reform at several organizations: New York City Outward Bound, Expeditionary Learning and Center for Collaborative Education. Her motivation, throughout, was a deep commitment to helping public schools create engaging, project-based curricula that reach across socioeconomic and racial divides.

Leah was a devoted parishioner and lay leader at St. Paul's Episcopal Church Brookline. Over her two decades at St. Paul's Leah served in many capacities, including on vestry, as warden and leader of various groups focused on spiritual exploration and religious education. Leah was a voracious reader, avid journaler and published author. She thrived on the art and theater scene both at home and on her travels. Music and being in beautiful wilderness spaces, especially on rivers, nourished Leah's life. She played classical and folk guitar, and more than anything loved to sing.

Leah met her husband, Anthony (Andy) Boral in 1981, their sophomore year of college, and they married in 1990. Leah and Andy raised two children, Julia and Jacob, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Leah was the emotional and spiritual center of her family, melding her Episcopal and Andy's Jewish traditions into a rich blend that continues to sustain her family.

Leah is survived by her husband Andy, her daughter Julia Boral and son Jacob Boral, her mother Carolyn Rugen, her siblings Rebecca Rugen and husband Phil Bayly, and Peter Rugen and wife Valerie Borchardt, her sister-in-law Sydnie Boral, and her beloved nieces and nephews, Alison, Zachary, Claudia, and Sasha.

We are heartbroken by Leah's death and celebrate her life. A funeral service will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 15 St. Paul Street,  Brookline, MA on February 2 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Leah's memory to one of the following: St. Paul's Episcopal Church Brookline, The Nature Conservancy, or the United Negro College Fund.