Jennie Lou Bireline

Jennie Lou Bireline 20 August, 1936-3 August, 2022. Every morning Jennie read following profession from a remembrance of the Buddha translated by Thích Nhất Hạnh: I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old, instead of suppressing it, invite it up, look directly at it. I am of the nature to grow old, I have to accept that. I am of the nature to have ill health. When you grow old you will know it. There is no way to escape having ill health. I am of a nature to die. There is no way to escape death. All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them. My actions are my only belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand.

Born in Oklahoma and raised in Texas, Jen Bireline majored in art and English at the University of Oklahoma. She moved to Bowling Green, Ohio, was married and raised two wonderful sons, Brent and David Wilson. There she discovered a love and talent for ceramics. She and her family moved to Raleigh in the early 1960s.

A decade later, Jen went to work at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Over the years she held several positions and eventually became curator of the Mary Duke Biddle Gallery for the Blind. She married George Bireline, a professor of painting at NC State University’s School of Design in 1978 and became Step-mother to Alex, Lise and Marek Bireline.

In the early 1980s, Jen left her job with the Museum to pursue her interest in clay. She attended workshops and classes whenever she could–at the NC State Crafts Center, Penland School of Crafts, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, among others–studying raku and other techniques with nationally recognized potters, ultimately teaching at the Crafts Center and other area ceramics programs.

Jen joins George and beloved son David, who predeceased her as she continues her Karmic journey. According to the notion of Samsara, her soul has transmigrated and so as she has done, so shall she reap. Her spirit lives through the many lives she has touched and nurtured.

Services for Jen are currently planned for the spring of 2023.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to The NC Democratic Party, PO Box 1926, Raleigh, NC 27602 (https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ncdp-website?refcode=2022).

Services provided by Brown-Wynne, Saint Mary's St.