Patricia “Patty” Prevost

Patricia Prevost, the spouse of Reverend Dr. Stephan Papa, died 11 March 2021 in Colorado, at age 69. Patty was born 26 March 1951 in Freeport, New York to Arthur and Katherine Prevost, and attended school in Wantagh, NY, where she established friendships that she would sustain throughout her life. After high school, Patty attended Keene State College in New Hampshire, then graduated cum laude from The State University of New York in Geneseo in 1973. She had become involved with the student radio station and earned her degree in speech communications.

With her degree in hand, she spent time trying out work experiences, taking employment in a variety of positions in Manhattan, Maryland, and Florida. She had attended Unitarian Universalist churches since grade school – a consequence of her parents coming from different religious backgrounds – and it was at the Unitarian Church in Fort Lauderdale that she and Stephan net in 1980. They married in 1982, and moved to Denver, Colorado later that year.

In Denver, Patty worked for a wine importer, then for a classical radio station, then for Colorado Public Radio, where she eventually became Vice-President of Development and Marketing. In 2001 they moved to Devon, Pennsylvania, where she worked for the Free Library of Philadelphia, and then as Director of Development and Communication for WRTI public radio. Returning to Denver in 2010, Patty worked again for CPR, for Rocky Mountain PBS, and retired in 2017 from her position as Director of Leadership Giving at KUNC.

Patty loved musicals, walking, talking, travel, Pilates and yoga, and she had an astounding capacity to engage with people. She was an excellent listener and unusually adept at remembering details of others’ lives. She was charming and witty and caring, and her social skills empowered her success as a fundraiser. Many people testified to the joy they had in being with her for a variety of experiences.

In addition to Stephan, Patty is survived their daughter, Alexandra Prevost Papa, her husband Tyler Childers, and their son, Parker Chapin Childers, and also by her mother, her brother, Roger, her cousin, Katherine Haynes and family.

Mary Rose Curtis

Mary Rose Curtis, surviving spouse of the Rev. James Curtis, died 4 March 2021 at home in Charlottesville, Virginia, at age 94. She was born 30 May 1926 in Utica, New York. After secondary school, she earned an associates degree in medical records and began working in that field.

In 1952 she married James Curtis and accompanied him to Germany, where he was deployed as a Russian linguist by the Air Force. When they returned to the U.S. she went back to work and he went to seminary to become a Unitarian Universalist minister. She engaged with social justice work in each of the four churches he served, working for farm worker’s rights, women’s rights, and international peace. Her 50-year commitment led to a United Nations Human Rights Community Award.

When James died in 1973, May Rose (or MZ, as she was sometimes called) returned to college to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree as medical records administrator. She built a consulting business, published articles in trade magazines, and eventually took a job at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital. Acting as her own attorney, she won a suit against the Army for age discrimination. She also met Dr. Edward Fries and enjoyed world travel, attending symphonies, and live theater with him for more than 30 years.

Dr. Fries died in 2005, and her son Bennett – a who lived with her for over 30 years – died in 2014, but MZ continued her involvement with her UU community.

A memorial service will be held when people can gather. Memorial contributions can be made to the UU Congregation of Charlottesville, Va.

Jan 17, 2021

The Rev. Shermie L. Schafer

The Rev. Shermie L. Schafer died on February 23, 2021 at the age of 78.

Shermie is survived by her sisters, Sue Medley and June Schafer, and their children; her stepson, Kai McLaughlin; her German Shepherd, Rika; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, infant sister, and brother William L. Schafer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the German Shepherd Rescue Indy or to PBS. UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolences may be sent to the family of Rev. Shermie Schafer, care of Neptune Society, 4825 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46240.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.

Steven Keyes “Sky” Yardley

Stephen Yardley, the spouse of the Reverend Jane Dwinell, died 23 Feb 2021 in Shelburne, Vermont. Sky, as he was known, had been living with dementia since 2015, and had shared the story of that journey in a series of Sunday services and workshops he and Jane presented at UU churches.

Sky was born 18 April 1950 in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Needham, MA. After graduating high school in 1968, he attended Amherst College for three years, before deciding to pursue other interests. He traveled to British Columbia, stopped at Esalen, went to Hawaii, and trekked on the Appalachian Trail. Sky met a resident of Frog Run Farm, a commune in Vermont and moved there in 1973. He enjoyed acquiring practical and physical skills and started a dairy with three other commune members. In 1976, he and his partner, Polly Jerome, went to Iceland, worked for a year, and used their earnings to travel in Europe. In 1979, Sky and another commune member started Vermont Produce Cooperative, trucking produce from Boston to co-ops in Vermont, and then organic produce back to Boston.

He began delivering to Corner Café, a vegetarian restaurant in Randolph VT in 1984, and met Jane Dwinell, the café owner. In 1985 they embarked on their life journey together, building an off-grid homestead, Full Moon Farm, in Irasburg VT. They raised their two children, Dana and Sayer, there. While homesteading and parenting, Sky attended Woodbury College and became a family mediator.

In 2006, Sky and Jane retired and set off on other adventures. They volunteered in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, explored the rivers and canals of France in a houseboat, built and traveled in a tiny house, and cruised up the Intercoastal Waterway from Georgia to Lake Champlain in another boat. When Sky began showing signs of dementia, he and Jane traveled across country bringing that story to 25 congregations.

Sky was a curious, playful, easygoing and loving partner, parent and friend. His found joy in the natural world: working in the woods, hiking or skiing mountains, or floating on the water. He loved music — especially playing the piano and enjoying the live music of New Orleans — and had a song for every occasion. He is survived by his beloved life partner and wife, Jane Dwinell, of Alburgh, Vt.; his daughter Dana Dwinell-Yardley of Montpelier, Vt., and her circle of chosen family; his son Sayer Dwinell-Yardley and his partner, Emma Tait, of Burlington, Vt.; and other family.

Donations in Sky’s memory may be made to the Lake Champlain Committee, 208 Flynn Ave. #3F, Burlington, VT 05401, or lakechamplaincommittee.org; or to the South Burlington Community Justice Center, 19 Gregory Dr., South Burlington, VT 05403.

The Rev. Ernest “Ernie” D. Pipes, Jr.

The Rev. Ernest “Ernie” D. Pipes, Jr. died on February 10, 2021 at the age of 94.

Ernie was born on October 6, 1926 in San Antonio, TX to Ernest D. Pipes and Ora Lemon Pipes. He completed his Freshman and Sophomore years at Rice Institute in Houston where he studied Chemical Engineering. In 1944, due to his chemical engineering training, when he entered the Navy, he was placed in the Fire Control School at the Naval Base in San Diego. He was trained in gunnery Fire Control in both San Diego and Florida. He spent eleven months abroad serving on the Destroyer 558 in the Pacific and was discharged in 1946.

In early 1947, Ernie joined a program of the Unitarian Church in San Antonio, TX. He returned to college to study Philosophy and received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion from Trinity University, TX (1949). At this time, he developed quite an interest in social sciences, and did a great deal of work in sociology and economics. In the year or two that followed, he became increasingly aware of the rich possibilities in
the work of religious liberalism. The intellectual freedom offered by the Unitarian tradition allied with his active practice of respect for human reason and human dignity. He wanted to contribute to the shared quest for good living. Unitarianism was that established institution in which he could work to achieve ends which were significant to him. In the wake of this call, he entered Harvard University (1949), and graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1952.

Rev. Pipes was ordained on June 27, 1951 by the First Unitarian Congregation of San Antonio, TX. Following his ordination, he served as a pastor at the Unitarian Fellowship of the Sabine Area, TX (1951). He then served in parish ministry at the First UU Society of Albany, NY (1952-1956). In 1956, he accepted a call from the UU Community Church of Santa Monica (UUCCSM), CA and served for thirty-five years until 1991. His ministry at Santa Monica stressed diversity and freedom in the congregation and in the pulpit. He counselled women on obtaining safe abortions. He made church an intellectually stimulating community center where diversity of programs and activities were fostered to meet the interest and needs of a wide range of individuals. In 1991, he retired from his active parish ministry. Upon his retirement, UUCCSM honored him as their minister emeritus. Also, in 1991, UUCCSM established an annual lecture series named *Ernie Pipes Lecture Series* which presents speakers on social justice, religion,
philosophy, and other topics of worldly concerns. After retirement, Rev. Pipes continued leading classes and discussion groups for UUCCSM.

Rev. Pipes’ denominational affiliation included serving as a delegate from Mohawk Valley, NY to the Middle Atlantic States Regional Council. For the Pacific Coast Unitarian Council (Regional Board), he served as a member (1959-1962) and as President (1960-1961). Additionally, he served as President of the Council of Liberal Ministers, Los Angeles (1959-1961).

Rev. Pipes was a member of the Citizen’s Committee for Albany, NY Public Schools; National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). He provided his services as a Vice-President to the West Los Angeles-Santa Monica Fair Housing Committee (1960-1961), and to the Santa Monica-Bay Area Ministerial Association. He was one of the board members of Sunset Hall, a retirement home for progressive elders started by the Women’s Alliance of the First Unitarian Church in Los Angeles, CA. He taught Philosophy of Religion and Systems of Ethics in the Department of Adult Education at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Ernie had great interests in comparative religion and the nature of human consciences. In his spare time, he enjoyed family activities and loved reading. He occasionally published book reviews in the Journal of Liberal Religion and Frontier Magazine.

Ernie is survived by his children: Bruce, Heather, and Gordon. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Cope Pipes.

A virtual memorial service was held at 1 pm on Saturday, May 1, 2021.

UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Monica <https://www.uusm.org/>, 1260 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404.

Dec 17, 2020

The Rev. Dr. Khoren Arisian

The Rev. Dr. Khoren Arisian died on January 14, 2021 at the age of 88.

Khoren is survived by his wife Leigh McKay; his sons Christopher Arisian and Derek Arisian (Silvia Arisian); his stepdaughters, Megan Elliott (Eddie Elliot) and Amy McDaid (Richie McDaid); his grandchildren Sofia, Serena, Veronica, GianLuca Arisian, Natasha and Aiden Arisian, Levi Elliott, and Finn McDaid; and his brother Rodney Arisian.

A memorial service is being planned to be held via Zoom sometime in March.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s own choosing. UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolence may be written here.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.

John A. “Jack” Hayes

John A. Hayes, age 79, spouse of the Reverend Susan LaMar, died at home 13 January 2021, after living with Myeloma for over ten years. Jack was born in Milford Massachusetts, attended Hopedale public schools, graduating from the high school in 1959.

Even before graduation, however, he had begun working to help support his family, as his mother’s health declined. In 1960 he began in the stock room of Worcester County Electric (later Massachusetts Electric.) He rose through several positions there, becoming Union Steward and a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Electric Credit Union. He also served as a Reserve Police Officer and as a volunteer member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

In 1973 Jack was elected to the Hopedale Board of Selectmen, and after successive re-elections became the town’s Administrator in 1983. He left that position and moved to Millbury several years later. In 1994 he became Chief Security Supervisor at Centrum, a public arena and convention center in Worcester, MA. Jack retired from that position in 2002 to follow Susan as her career developed. That led them to California and then to Ellicott City, Maryland. In 2016 they returned to Massachusetts and settled in Uxbridge.

Jack was a model railroader, finishing his most recent layout in 2019, despite his illness. He followed politics closely and to the end read the Washington Post daily, particularly his favorite columnists.

He is survived by Susan; his daughter Suzanne Hayes Lesch, her husband Will Lesch and their two children; his sisters Anne, wife of John Hogarth of Hopedale MA, and Barbara Sullivan of Medfield MA; several nieces and nephews and cousins; and his former wife, Marge Jensen of Braintree Vermont.

There will be no public memorial service. Jack’s family requests that memorial gifts be directed to your local food bank.

Samuel “Sam” Berliner III

Samuel “Sam” Berliner III, the partner of the Reverend Lilia Cuervo, died 29 Dec 2020 at age 86. Sam was born 15 February 1934 in Manhattan, where his father was well known as a funeral director. He was educated at Champlain College in Plattsburg, New York, which he says, “no longer exists,” and studied engineering at MIT. He worked 15 years for Pall Corporation on Long Island, which made ultra fine fluid filters. He left that to pursue his interest in ultrasonics, which comprised the biggest part of his life’s work. Working independently and with companies in that industry, Sam developed patented processes and devices to apply ultrasonic solutions in a variety of situations. In 2011 he was given an honorary membership by The Ultrasonic Industry Association Board of Directors.

Sam maintained a website that held a great deal of his other interests — language, theology, railroads (and model railroads), and more. He describes himself as “Technical and Historical Writer, Oral Historian, Popularizer of Science and Technology, Rail, Auto, Air, Ordnance, and Model Enthusiast, Light-weight Linguist, Lay Minister, and Putative Philosopher.” His website confirms and endorses that description.

A great number of people posted tributes on the sites that are established for those purposes. They come from people he encountered working on a group that studies the Long Island Motor Parkway, and from the Boston Chapter National Railway Historical Society. And several from people whose lives he had touched in UU Congregations. Sam was fully involved in anything that interested him, and as a minister’s partner.

Sam Berliner, discussing the Motor Parkway History

Sam is survived by his daughters Nancy Cordes and Elisabeth McKinnon, and grandchildren Natalie and Eric Cordes; and by Lilia, his wife of over 14 years, her son Xavier Hernandez, and two daughters, Nilza Wise, and Shani Hernandez, and her granddaughter Javale Wise.

The family plans to hold an in-person Memorial when it is safe to gather.

Lilia can be reached at 6 Apache TRL, Medford, MA 02155-1471 and at cuervouu@comcast.net.