The Rev. Patricia “Tricia” V. M. Tummino died on September 20, 2024, at the age of 75 (1949-2024).
Tricia was born on September 1, 1949, in Boston MA to Van Horne Morris and Marion “Betty” Gilmore. She was the middle of three children and was raised with her brothers in Hingham MA, where she nurtured an early love of nature, making frequent visits to the ponds to find turtles and snakes. She attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, received her Bachelor of Arts in English in 1971, and engaged in full-time high school teaching until 1979, thereafter doing part-time teaching for a few years while being primarily a mother and homemaker.
In 1991, Tricia discovered the First UU Society of Middleborough, Middleboro MA. She found a spiritual home that offered her the opportunity to be in significant conversation together, be present to one another during the hard times, and witness together the times of joy. She felt it was like coming home. She attended worship services and adult education programs, taught church school, served on the Religious Education Committee, the Parish Committee, and as a Chairperson of the Welcoming Congregation Committee. In January of 1993, she became an office administrator.
Tricia’s increasing involvement in parish and religious education committee work, and very satisfying and affirming opportunities to preach and lead other aspects of the church service, drew her to ministry. For her, being in the ministry meant sharing with others and walking together in community to find wholeness. Following this call, she graduated from Harvard Divinity School with her Master of Divinity in 1998.
Rev. Tummino was ordained by her home congregation, the First UU Society of Middleborough MA on September 27, 1998, where she returned as a settled minister (1998–2010). During her tenure, she skillfully and successfully modeled shared ministry and helped foster a very welcoming environment, supported growth, and encouraged participation at all levels. She planned programs for new members and sparked various new programs for all members. She helped develop a safe congregation plan, created the Safety Committee, and formed a Committee on Ministry. The church became a teaching church (a site for ministerial intern placement). Under her leadership, the church became a happening place, with attractive levels of activities and friendliness. In 2010, she retired from her active ministry.
Rev. Tummino’s meditations and sermons were always thoughtful, insightful, and accessible. She demonstrated compassion and kindness in listening and pastoral care. A 2004 article in the Middleboro Gazette described her as a “Champion of Difficult Causes” as she prepared to officiate same sex marriages after Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to legalize same sex marriage. She always stood for what she believed in and was ready to help people in need.
She served the denomination as the Ballou Channing UUMA Chapter leader. In community, she provided her services as a member and board of the Middleboro/Lakeville Community Counseling Center.
In her leisure time, Tricia enjoyed reading, hiking in the woods, walking, and listening to music. Her passions included folk music and rooting for the Red Sox team.
Tricia is survived by her brother Peter; husband Lawrence; children Annie, Ben, and Joe; and grandchildren Enzo, Lucia, and Asa.
A memorial service was held on November 2, 2024, at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Middleboro, 25 S. Main St, Middleborough MA 02346. Notes of condolences may be written here.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s own choosing. UURMaPA contributed to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.