The Rev. Marcia Welsh Schekel

The Reverend Marcia Schekel—educator, compassionate chaplain, and lifelong religious seeker who moved from Catholic to Methodist and finally to UU affiliation—died on 18 May 2017, aged 70.

Marcia Welsh was born to Joe and Margaret Welsh on 4 June 1946 in Marion, Ohio, and grew up in nearby Dayton until age 13, when the family moved to Boulder, Colorado. She earned a B.A. in journalism at Colorado State University in 1968 and married fellow student Kurt Schekel the same year. Growing interest in feminist theology drew her from Roman Catholicism to the more liberal Methodist church, where she was active as a religious educator for 14 years.

After earning an M.A. in adult and continuing education at Washington State University (Pullman) in 1978, she stayed on to direct WSU’s women’s programs (1978-83) and then as manager of its continuing education program (1983-98). Meanwhile, work with Elderhostel (now Road Scholar) beginning in 1983 led Marcia to an interest in “models for aging” and in 1998 she moved to Portland (Oregon) to accept a job with Elderhostel.

Once again religiously restless, Marcia joined the First Unitarian Church of Portland. Volunteer work with hospice programs and bereavement groups encouraged her to further study at Marylhurst University (OR). She earned an M.A. in applied theology in 2004 and then became a hospice chaplain at Providence Home and Community Services. In recognition of her gifts for this work, Ms. Schekel was ordained by the First Unitarian Church of Portland on 15 April 2007 and served there as an affiliated minister until retirement in 2013.

Marcia is survived by spouse Kurt, son Zachary, brother Mike, and four grandchildren.

Paul Montgomery Smith-Valley

Paul Smith-Valley

Paul Montgomery Smith-Valley, 76 years, spouse of the Reverend Dr. Judith M. Smith-Valley, died peacefully on May 9, 2017 at his home in Kennebunk ME. Paul was born in Rochester NY, and graduated from the University of Rochester with a bachelor’s degree, after attending Annapolis for 2 years. He completed his service in the Marine Corps Reserves, New York State.

Paul became a consultant and fund-raiser for organizations such as the March of Dimes and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, joining the staff of the Unitarian Universalist Association for over 20 years and consulting in the UUA Building and Loan Program for another 10 years. He had a rare gift for guiding nervous congregations and dealing with cautious lending institutions.

After moving to ME and retiring, Paul Joined the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary FLT 24. This brought him back to the sea, boating and a new vocation. He particularly enjoyed the training, search and rescue and teaching safe boating classes. He volunteered extensively, participating in leadership and reaching the rank of CMDO for Northern New England in 2010.

He enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and reading; he was an avid swimmer. He had a small business working with wood and wood-turning and was a member of the West Virginia Wood Turners Association. He adored his grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife; his sons, Dr. Richard Smith, MD and his wife Dr. Barbara Dill, MD of Norwood, NJ, Glenn Valley and his wife Heidi Hermon Valley of Wake Forest, NC; his daughters, Libby Valley Cirillo and her husband Dr. L. Anthony Cirillo, MD of North Kingstown, RI and Susan Woodilla and her husband LTC Tad Woodilla, USAF Ret., of Hermon, ME; his brother Tim Smith and wife Vicki Lee of Pittsford, NY; his sisters, Patricia Williams of Addison, TX and Marcia Joy and husband Ron of Churchville, NY; 13 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.

Jan 30, 2017

The Rev. Cynthia Johnson Ward

The Reverend Cynthia Ward—religious educator, parish minister, lover of arts and learning, and mother of five, three of whom are themselves UU ministers—died at the Brooks-Howell retirement home in Asheville, North Carolina, on 9 May 2017 at the age of 88.

She wrote of her commitment to “enabling persons to the challenge of creating a community of faith, hope, justice, and love,” and is remembered as a mentor to many women called to ministry at a time when so many were still meeting resistance.

Cynthia’s daughter, the Rev’d Lisa Ward, recalls that her mother “drank in poetry, and wrote it well. She loved art and deeply engaging conversations. Ever searching spiritually, she expressed her findings to the delight of others.”

Cynthia Johnson was born to Charles and Alice Libby Johnson on 11 August 1928 in Auburndale, MA. She reported feeling a call to ministry even as a five-year-old child. After college she worked as a journalist and editor (1950–53), and with spouse Jack Ward found a religious home for their growing family in UU churches. Cynthia then became active in religious education, eventually earning an M.Div. in 1984 and being ordained the next year by the UU Princeton (NJ) congregation.

Over the next 15 years, the Rev’d Ms. Ward served several parish and RE ministries in the greater New York area—Westchester, Brooklyn, and Orange (NJ). After retirement in 2000, she remained active with UU church membership in Florida, New Jersey, and lastly at the UU Congregation of Asheville, NC.

Cynthia’s spouse, psychiatrist Jack Ward, died in 2005. She is survived by children Mark, Keith, Terry, Lisa, and Scott, as well as by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Apr 4, 2017

The Rev. Robert “Bob” S. Slater

The Reverend Bob Slater—parish minister, beloved husband and father, student of psychic phenomena—died on 28 April 2017, aged 89.

As a college student, pleasure and skill in ballroom dancing led Bob to support himself with part-time teaching at an Arthur Murray Dance Studio, where he met fellow dance teacher Robin Holzbach. In 1950 Bob took what he deemed “the most important and wonderful step” of his life by marrying Robin. They continued dancing through 65 years of marriage until her death in 2015. (See below.)

Bob pursued a near-lifelong interest in paranormal and psychic phenomena. He was active in the Edgar Cayce Association and was a founding member of the UU Psi Symposium.

Robert Stephen Slater was born on 16 January 1928 in Pasadena, Maryland. After high school, Coast Guard service, and a college degree in 1951, he went on to earn an S.T.B at Harvard Divinity School in 1955. Shorter ministries in Pittsburgh (PA) and Westford (MA) were followed by a call in 1968 to the UU Church of Greater Lynn (MA), where served for 22 years and was named Minister Emeritus in 1990.

Robert and Robin Slater — Bob and Robin Slater

For his own obituary, Bob wrote that “all experiences in life offer opportunities for growth in the ways of love of all people and things, that the selfless example of Jesus is the way, and that life is continuous, not ending with the death of the physical body.”

Memorial donations are encouraged to the UU Church of Greater Lynn, earmarked for the restoration and maintenance of their courtyard garden.

Dr. Peter James George

Peter George

Dr. Peter James George, CM, O.Ont, age 75, the spouse of the Reverend Allison Barrett, died April 27, 2017, at home in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada. He had lived fully in spite of his cancer, making memories for his family.

Peter was born September 12, 1941 into a family which once kept the lighthouse on Toronto Islands. He attended a three-room school there before earning his B.A, M.A. and PhD in Economics at the University of Toronto. His work as an economist helped prove the economic value of an indigenous way of life.

He joined the faculty of McMaster University in 1965 and rose to become the President and Vice-Chancellor, where he served three five-year terms. He was named President Emeritus when he retired in 2010. The university had grown and developed many new and innovative programs during his tenure, and he had raised almost a billion dollars for its support. Peter will be remembered in the residence and student centre built in his honour; “The Peter George Centre for Living and Learning.”

Peter was a member of the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honours. He was also honoured with the Order of Ontario.

Peter was widowed at age 55, but found new love with Allison. When they announced his proposal in church, he baked enough butter tarts for the entire congregation, to prove his commitment to being a great minister’s spouse. He remained a strong supporter and an inspiration to the end of his life.

Peter also welcomed with great joy their daughters, Lily Rose and Gemma who were adopted in China, and he participated enthusiastically in their care. He did everything for “his girls” including taking them around the world and introducing them to fly fishing and cottage life.

His memorial service at McMaster University on June 11, 2017 was a celebration of his life in words and music. The Governor General of Canada, the Honorable David Johnston, who had also been a university president and had observed Peter’s work, spoke as a friend and colleague.

Letters of condolence may be sent to the Reverend Allison Barrett at 20 Halson Street, Ancaster, Ontario L9G 2S3.

Geraldine Dixon Eddy

Geraldine Eddy

Geraldine Dixon Eddy, 84, the wife of the Reverend Robert M. Eddy, passed away April 22, 2017. Though she had survived many life-threatening medical emergencies, she always found a way to regain her vitality, and remained active all her life.

Born October 9, 1932 in Montgomery, Alabama, Gerry had earned a BA in 1952 from Wesleyan College, with a double major in Theatre and English Literature. She later earned an MA in library science from the University of Michigan. She was a school librarian until 1993 serving schools in Detroit, Michigan; Bought Hills, NY; and for 20 years in Aurora, Colorado.

In 1954 Gerry married Robert Miles Eddy, who was a student at Drew Seminary. In 1956, they moved to North Creek, New York, where Bob served the Methodist Church, and their first child, Lee, was born. In 1958 they moved to Dayton, Ohio where Bob worked for the American Friends Service Committee, on special assignment. Their second daughter Pam and their son Miles were born in Dayton. Bob became a Unitarian Universalist minister in 1963 and their family moved as he served churches in Farmington, MI; Schenectady, NY; and Denver, CO.

Gerry retired in 1993 and traveled with Bob as he served interim ministries in Indianapolis, Indiana; Adelaide, Australia; Denver, CO; and Pensacola, FL. In 2001 they returned to Pensacola, where he served as part time minister until 2005.

They traveled extensively, including one 14-month trip around the world and four years living full-time in an RV. Her curiosity led her to explore many subjects including fossils, geology, flowers, birds, Spanish, and cosmology. She loved assembling crossword puzzles, reading mystery novels, skiing, and music. Biking had a special place in Gerry’s heart. She once said that she felt most truly herself on her bike. Gerry and Bob rode around 49 of the 50 United States, Canada, Europe, and even a couple days in Tibet. They had completed a 13-mile route just two days before her death.

In her later years Gerry immersed herself in Buddhism, attending a number of silent retreats around the country. In Pensacola, she attended the weekly English language meditation services at the Dieu De Vietnamese Temple.

Gerry is survived by husband Robert M. Eddy of Pensacola, FL; daughter Lee Eddy of Seattle, WA; daughter Pam Eddy and son-in-law Shawn Reynolds of Bloomington, IN; son Miles Eddy of Bloomington, IN and grandchild McCarry Reynolds of Santa Cruz, CA.

Additional biographical information and images can be found at a memorial website.

Remembrances can be made in Gerry’s memory to the following organizations – American Civil Liberties Union, Unitarian Universalist Church of Pensacola, FL, Wesleylan College, Macon GA, Dieu De Temple (9602 Nims Lane, Pensacola, Florida 32534), or Doctors Without Borders.

Her husband, the Rev. Bob Eddy, can be reached at 850-206-7168.

Terry Throne

Terry Throne, 74, spouse of the Reverend Bob Throne, died April 18, 2017 of heart failure, after several years of illness. Terry was born July 25, 1942 into a Jewish family, but became a “thoroughgoing UU” when she and Bob discovered the Hartford Connecticut Meeting House in the mid-1970’s.

At that time, Terry and Bob were among the pioneers of cross racial adoption, and Terry chaired the CT Open Door Society, nurturing many adoptive families and children. In that period they also signed on to a major open housing lawsuit. They delighted in the fact their home was in Bloomfield, CT, a well integrated town that welcomed their children, amidst many still segregated suburbs.

She had worked a variety of “people caring” jobs over the years, including directing the Children’s Program at Ferry Beach and as Director of Religious Education at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County from 1987 to 1995. Although she had suffered two heart attacks and a nasty stroke, Terry had fought back and resumed caring for a grandchild 13 years ago.

Terry was an extrovert, and made and kept friends readily. She and Bob developed many relationships among neighbors and from their congregations, the many GA’s, District and cluster meetings, and Star Island. She is survived by her husband; two children, Daryn Roven and Cambria Hill; and four grandchildren, Mattie & Kareem Jr and Jonathan & Sophia, plus “adopted” grandchildren among family friends.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Robert Throne, 1916 Fleming Avenue, Willow Grove, PA 19090.

Memorial gifts may be sent to: The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration (6900 Stenton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19150).

Author: Duane Fickeisen