GREENFIELD — Family members, friends and colleagues gathered in Greenfield Community College’s Cohn Family Dining Commons Monday night to mourn the loss of change-maker, activist and beloved community member La Wanza Lett-Brewington.

Lett-Brewington, who was 60 and lived in Turners Falls, served as a Title IX coordinator for GCC as well as Berkshire Community College. She died unexpectedly Feb. 2.

She founded the Pioneer Valley’s Discrimination Prevention Project and worked with her late husband Dwayne Brewington, who died in January 2024, to start the GCC Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration — a tradition that celebrated its 25th year this past January.

“Though my heart’s filled with grief, I stand before you filled with deep gratitude for the time that we had with her and the immense legacy she leaves behind,” Lett-Brewington’s son Danton Brewington said in his eulogy.

“My mother was a force of nature — powerful, poised and full of grace. She had a way of making people feel heard, seen and truly understood. She dedicated her life to helping others, especially those who lived in pain and injustice.”

In 2007, Lett-Brewington was selected as the executive director for the Northampton-based domestic violence support agency Safe Passage. Prior to her service at Safe Passage, she served as director of the Five College Consortium’s Violence Prevention Project at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and previously served as director of shelter programs for the New England Learning Center for Women in Transition (NELCWIT).

“Domestic violence is not just a ‘women’s issue,’” Lett-Brewington said in a 2007 article announcing her position at Safe Passage. “My goal as executive director will be to raise awareness and work toward the prevention of domestic violence.”

Monday’s well-attended and solemn event featured a series of musical numbers, including Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings,” Tamela Mann’s “I Can Only Imagine” and Boyz II Men’s “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.”

In an open speaking session in which friends and family members were invited to speak of her legacy, Corey Rubin, a longtime friend and former colleague of Lett-Brewington, reflected on the pair’s shared vision to bring diversity initiatives to GCC, working together more than 30 years ago. She described the late activist as a courageous force that always sided with what was right, also recalling Lett-Brewington’s talent as a playwright and poet.

Others, such as Lett-Brewington’s brother, Jearl Lett, spoke of the fond memories he shared with his sister, including her love for baking chocolate chip cookies and her role in the family.

“It was later that I realized the role she played in our family,” Lett said. “She was more than just my big sister. She filled that role in the nicest way — in so many ways.”

After an opening prayer delivered by Pastor Searita Jones-Harshaw, Lett-Brewington’s daughter, Maya Brewington, recited a poem she had written for her late mother.

“Your smile brings me joy and brightens my day. It is the spark that you trust my soul. Without any words to say, your smile has the warmth of the soothing golden sun on a beautiful spring day,” Brewington said. “Your smile is connected across generations and radiates a proud legacy. It brings forth a true promise and true love that has meant much to me. Your smile will live on with the reflection of who you are; it serves as a comfort and guiding light. ... I will always remember you.”

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.