Obituary: Susan J. "Sue" Boulden

'Outspoken' human rights advocate, Episcopalian March 28, 1943 -- March 27, 2007

Thursday, March 29, 2007

By Steve Levin, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Susan J. "Sue" Boulden, who gained notoriety throughout the Episcopal Church and parts of the Anglican Communion for her outspokenness on human rights and religious issues, died Tuesday following open heart surgery at West Penn Hospital. She would have been 64 yesterday.

Ms. Boulden, of Oakmont, was a familiar figure at Episcopal gatherings, both in the Pittsburgh diocese and on the national scene. Wearing buttons boosting her favorite causes, she would corner clergy, laity and news media to ensure all were aware of not only what she believed, but why.

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She was active in Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh, or PEP, a group she helped form in the wake of the 2002 diocesan convention after a resolution was passed that declared the diocese would no longer accede to national church canon it felt contravened "the historic catholic faith."

She also was a key supporter of the national group Via Media USA that PEP was instrumental in forming.

In addition, Ms. Boulden was diocesan coordinator for Integrity/Pittsburgh, an advocacy group of gay and lesbian Episcopalians, and a contributing writer to Voice of Integrity, the group's national publication.

While she was a former member of the diocesan council and a member of the Episcopal Women's Caucus, she may have been best known for her opposition to Bishop Robert W. Duncan Jr.

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