Adrienne Iris Esther (Weiner) Boxer ’97 died on March 14, 2019, in Portland, Oregon.
(The following appeared online at inforum.com in March 2019)
Adrienne Iris Esther Boxer (formerly Weiner), 44, of Portland, Oregon, died during her brave fight with cancer on March 14, 2019. She was at her home in Eastmoreland, in Portland, Oregon.
Adrienne was born on March 11, 1975, in Charlottesville, Virginia, to Michael and Geri (Burkhart) Weiner. She grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. She attended Fargo South High School where she played varsity tennis and ran cross-country—a testament to her endurance—and competed in speech and debate—a testament to her sharp intellect. After graduation, she majored in both German and biology at Bowdoin College in Maine, where she met the love of her life, Andrew Boxer ’98, and graduated summa cum laude. She studied abroad in Berlin and returned as a Fulbright Scholar to teach after graduation. Adrienne continued her education at Georgetown University, earning a master of science degree in international studies and foreign service, also with highest honors. While in Washington, DC, she also worked at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on national security issues. In 2001, Adrienne and Andy moved west to Portland, Oregon, where she worked as an operations manager at Lutheran Community Services Northwest, helping refugees rebuild their lives. In the summer of 2003, Adrienne and Andy were married; they welcomed their first child, Owen, in 2004, and Lucien (Louie) two years later. In 2008, she became the executive director of Street Yoga, a non-profit for youth using yoga and mindfulness to heal past trauma. Their daughter, Daphne, was born in 2011. Her most recent position was director of development for the German International School Portland. Truly, her professional life revolved around helping those in need and a curiosity about other cultures.
Adrienne was a person who left an impression, who tackled life with a tenacious energy and enthusiasm very few possess. She loved hard work yet always had time for fun, like spending time with friends, proudly watching her kids play sports and music, being active in nature, and dominating any dance floor with her signature moves. She was a natural leader who organized school field trips and impromptu neighborhood parties. She was loyal and honest, the kind of friend who would tell you if you had something stuck in your teeth. Adrienne loved her community—and especially her three beautiful children and husband of fifteen years—and her community loved her back.
She is survived by her husband Andy Boxer ’98; children Owen, Louie, and Daphne; parents, Michael Weiner (Julie) and Geri Burkhart; brothers Ben Weiner and Toby (Wini) Weiner; parents-in-law Dan ’67 and Sara Boxer; sister-in-law Elisa Boxer ’93; as well as a niece and nephews. May she forever rest in peace.