Rebecca Ann Head

Head, Rebecca 11/27/1948 - 6/23/2015 Ann Arbor, Michigan Rebecca Head, 66, of Ann Arbor MI passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 after a year-long fight against cancer. Her family was at her bedside, including daughter Celina Stead and husband David Stead, brothers Michael, George and Louis, sister-in-law Mary James, brother-in-law Aaron Lewis, and sisters -in-law Nancy Stead and Cindy Stead, and nieces Julia and Lucy. Rebecca was able to have conversations with her family and close friends; her passing was painless and peaceful. Rebecca was a faithful member of Jewel Heart Buddhist Temple. The family thanks Gelek Rimpoche and everyone at Jewel Heart for their support and for the many prayers said during her passing. Rebecca lived her life following one of the basis tenants of Buddhist spirituality as expressed in the following phrase: "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." The Dalai Lama Rebecca was born in Cadillac MI on November 27, 1948, to Benjamin Stuart and Sally Teetor Head. She grew up Defiance, OH and Saginaw. MI. She graduated from Saginaw Arthur Hill High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and DECA. Rebecca attended the University of Michigan, receiving a Bachelors of Arts in Education. After a year of teaching she returned to earn a MS and Ph.D. in Toxicology from UM's School of Public Health in 1983. Rebecca's professional life would reflect her development as a scientist combined with her passion for social justice demonstrated throughout her time at Michigan After a brief period working for Proctor & Gamble, Rebecca worked for Washtenaw County where her positions included Director of Environment & Infrastructure Services. She subsequently served as Director of the Monroe County Health Department. Throughout her 25 years in the public sector, she made significant contributions towards the betterment of public health and the pursuit of environmental justice, through her advocacy for public health as a key for urban planning, robust recycling programs and sustainable communities. In more recent years she returned to UM to work as Associate Director for the Office of Public Health Practice, and lectured in the School of Health & Human Services Eastern Michigan University. Rebecca's work in Michigan was strengthened by her relationships with colleagues and peers throughout the country, who likewise benefitted from her contributions. She held several national appointments in the American Public Health Association and is known particularly for her work with the APHA Environment Section. She has served on multiple boards within the Centers for Disease Control, was a member of the Environmental & Public Health Council of Underwriters Laboratories and served as an advisor to the National Environmental Education Foundation. In Michigan, Rebecca served as an advisor to Center for Sustainable Systems of the UM School of Natural Resources& Environment, as a long-time board member of Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice, a participant on the Green Chemistry Roundtable of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. She co-chaired the Northern Michigan Cross-Jurisdictional Shared Services Steering Committee, which works to strengthen public health infrastructure and cooperation between public health entities in that part of the state. Rebecca served as an elected Trustee for the Ann Arbor District Library Board since 2003, as board member of Girls Group, and as Secretary of the Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice Board of Directors. Rebecca was always present for other people, whether it be a student needing mentorship, a friend needing a listening ear or a family member needing support. She nurtured and supported creativity, personal growth, and leadership in her colleagues and among those she loved. She demonstrated grace, dignity and humility, earning the admiration and gratitude of those around her. Rebecca's last words to her family were: "We have to be open and honest. We have to be kind to each other". Rebecca's memorial service is on Saturday, July 18, from 1:00 to 3:30 pm (doors open at 12 pm) at the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 4001 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. In lieu of flowers, Rebecca requested that donations in her name be made to either the Ecology Center of Ann Arbor (http://www.ecocenter.org/) or the Girls Group (http://www.girlsgroup.org/). www.muehligannarbor.com