The Rev. Marjorie Montgomery died on April 20, 2025, at the age of 89 (1935-2025).
Marjorie was born on December 2, 1935, in Buffalo NY, to Edward F. Wesp and Florence Norton Wesp, both of whom were committed lay leaders of the Lutheran Church. As a child, she spent hours in the Lutheran Church and cultivated an early love of traditional church music. During high school, she was involved in American Friends Service projects, which sparked her interest in understanding mysteries beyond tangible realities. In 1957, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, specializing in piano and organ performance, from Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Following graduation, she taught private piano lessons and worked as a church choir director and organist. Thereafter, in 1959, she earned her Master’s in Religious Education from Union Theological Seminary in New York City.
In 1971, Marjorie made a significant decision to leave the Lutheran Church. After visiting a Unitarian Fellowship, she knew she had found her spiritual home. She was deeply moved by the UU atmosphere of intellectual openness, community service, diversity of opinion, growth of self and growth in relationships. She especially cherished the tradition’s ongoing search for ways to be both free and responsible. In pursuit of ministry with this new spiritual path, she earned her Master of Theology from Perkins School of Theology (Dallas TX) in 1976.
The Rev. Montgomery was ordained to the Unitarian Universalist ministry in 1977. Before her ordination, she served as a Director of Religious Education at the First Unitarian Church of Dallas TX (1975−1976). In 1976, she accepted a call from the First Church in Belmont MA, where she served until 1980. That year, she was called to All Peoples Church Unitarian Universalist in Fort Worth TX (previously First Jefferson UU Church), where she ministered for a decade until 1990. During her tenure, the church experienced a net growth of over 100 members, built a new sanctuary, expanded its adult education offering, and significantly increased its presence in the wider community. In recognition of her leadership, she was named minister emerita in 1995.
Following Fort Worth, the Rev. Montgomery served as an interim minister, helping the congregations in the time of change. She was a consulting minister for the UU Fellowship of Waco TX (1990−1992), and an interim minister to the UU Church of Las Cruces NM (1993); the UU Church of Tucson AZ (1994), and the First UU Church of Nashville TN (1995). From 1995–2001, she served as a religious education consultant for the Southwestern District, Fort Worth, TX. In 2001, she retired from ministry.
The Rev. Montgomery’s ministry was marked by genuine commitment and a keen sensitivity to the needs of others. She had a deep ability to accept people as they were, helped others find personal meaning in their lives, and was motivated to live a meaningful life not only for herself, but for all those around her. She could draw people to her; even in a large crowd, she somehow found a word for everyone.
In addition to her ministry, her services extended to the wider denomination. She served the Commission for Common Worship (1978−1982) and the Executive Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers’ Association (UUMA) as a treasurer/secretary (1979−1983). She was President of the Southwest Chapter of the UUMA (1987−1989) and contributed to the Southwest UU Summer Institute. She remained an active participant of the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA), the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), and facilitated the Retirement Planning Seminar in 1991. In community, Marjorie was a teaching advisor for Harvard Divinity School from 1978–1979. From 1990–1993, she served as a coordinator for CROP Walks for Hunger in Dallas TX, and was a member of the Dallas/Fort Worth Ministers Group.
In her leisure time, she found joy in a wide variety of creative pursuits. She enjoyed embroidery, sewing, piano, singing, hiking, biking, camping, swimming, skiing, card games, and macrame. Her son Philip shared, “Marjorie lived her life deliberately, and also lovingly.”
Marjorie is survived by her sons Philip and Richard, stepdaughters Janelle and Stacy, and granddaughters Natalie and Jessica. She is also survived by her sister Barbara Murry, and first cousin Jim Norton. She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years Robert Duane Montgomery, former husband Dr. Joseph Terence Sams; and daughter Valerie.
A memorial service was held on May 8, 2025, at the Robert F. Jonas Chapel at Trinity Terrace in Fort Worth TX.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s own choosing. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.
Notes of condolence can be written here.
A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. It will be published in an upcoming issue of Elderberries and posted on the UURMaPA website.If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Rev. Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com.