Dr. Georgia Gojmerac-Leiner (’11)
The following obituary was originally published by Legacy and can be found here.
Dr. Georgia Gojmerac-Leiner, D. Min, BCC passed away peacefully on July 29th, 2026 surrounded by her loving family.
Georgia was born on July 5th, 1949 and raised in a tiny hamlet Pravutina in Croatia, where she played in the fields, pastured her cow and saw the image of Mary and Jesus in the tip of the grain of wheat. The sunlight bounced oR the multitude of flowers, charming her, letting her dream that she’d be a poet someday. She did become a poet and published in many journals and anthologies. But poetry did not let her discover herself fully. Years went by and she enrolled in a program oRered by Boston College in pastoral care and counseling.
Coupled with that Georgia began her internship in Clinical Pastoral education (CPE) and became a board-certified chaplain. It was through CPE that Georgia discovered all about herself and was ready to minister to the sick. The highlight of her career was her position as the hospital chaplain of the Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA. There she saw patients in the full spectrum of birthing center, critical care, transitional care, oncology, psychiatry and pediatrics. All morning she’d see patients and, in the afternoons, she’d chart, write articles, create brochures.
Georgia was actively engaged in her beloved professional organization, the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. She wrote numerous articles for their publications, oRered workshops at the annual conferences, and was a leader of monthly prayer. The organization was a source of support and a venue for her talents.
Georgia never tired of studying, learning, reflecting. In everything she had to be professional. She earned an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, Master of Library Science from Southern Connecticut State University, MA in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Boston College, MA in Sacred Theology from Boston University School of Theology, and at last she earned her terminal degree of Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Spirituality. All the while she worked nearly full time and cared for her family.
There were moves between Virginia, Maryland, Vermont and finally to Natick, MA, where she has been living with her family over 30 years.
Georgia was an avid gardener, trail walker, and a discerning cook for her family, who were the most important component of her life. In addition, she grew in her faith so deeply that she fears no death but looks forward to living forever in the loving embrace of God.
Georgia’s passing was preceded by the death of her first born, Abraham, who died at 16 months old. She is survived by her beloved husband of 51 years, Craig Leiner, her lovely sons Gabriel and Tobias, and grandson Eden.
She is also survived by her three sisters, one in Maine and two in Croatia, and by numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand nephews.
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