Author: Jaco ten Hove

The Rev. Marjorie Skwire

The Rev. Marjorie “Midge” Skwire died on March 21, 2023, at the age of 86 (1936-2023).

Midge is survived by her husband, David Skwire, son, Daniel Skwire (Denise M. Fogg), daughters: Sarah Skwire and Jessica Routhier (Ray Routhier), brothers Richard (Rosemary) and David and grandchildren Teddy, Abigail, Luke, Dinah, and Penelope.

A memorial service is planned for 2 pm on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church, 20401 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River, OH 44116.

UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry. Other memorial gifts may be made to:

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com. 

Michelle “Mickey” Worth

Michelle “Mickey” Worth, 75, died peacefully at Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital, Ellsworth, on Friday, Feb. 24, with her husband, Mark Worth, holding her hand, and surrounded by friends. Mickey was born in Newport, R.I., May 21, 1947, the daughter of Sherwood Barry and Elizabeth Johansson Barry.

She grew up in Pittsfield, Mass., and graduated from Pittsfield High School, Class of 1965. She had a B.A. from National College of Education (now National Louis University, Chicago) and an M.A. in counseling from the University of Southern Maine.

During a brief first marriage, Mickey’s daughter Kimberly Evans was born in 1965. Mickey married Mark Worth in 1979. They moved to Ellsworth in 1991, where Mark was a pastor serving the Unitarian Universalist churches in Ellsworth and Castine. Mickey was a social worker employed by Community Health and Counseling Services from 1991 until her retirement in 2016.

She loved to travel and learn about other cultures. During their 45 years together, Mickey and Mark visited Greece, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Italy, Canada and Mexico. Mickey was active in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ellsworth, and in A.A., where she made many dear friendships. She was famous for her cookies and made the best carrot cake anyone has ever eaten.

She is survived by her husband, Mark, who represents Ellsworth and Waltham in the Maine House of Representatives, her sister Sandra Barry of Waukesha, Wis., brother Dennis Barry and sister-in-law Sharon Barry, of Pittsfield, Mass., sister-in-law Carolyn Barry of Chesterfield, Va., and her grandchild Darwin MacDonald of Pittsfield, Mass. She was predeceased by her parents, her daughter Kim Evans and her brother Stephen Barry.

There will be a celebration of Michelle’s life on May 13, 2023, at 1 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ellsworth.

The Rev. Todd J. Taylor

The Board of the UU Retired Ministers and Partners Association offers our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Todd J. Taylor, who died on February 15, 2023, at the age of 93 (1929-2023).

Todd is survived by his wife, Caroline Fenderson, of Palm Harbor, FL, a retired Unitarian Universalist Minister of Religious Education.  He is also survived by his three children, Wannie Lee (Sonny, d. 2022), Todd Eliot (Allison), and Jenai Ann (Alan), their mother, Rev. Carol Ann (Marine) Taylor, and two grandchildren, Katie Taylor, and Will Taylor.  He also leaves three stepdaughters, Jenifer Valingo, Georgia Atkinson, and Michele Marcon, and their partners and children. He was preceded in death by his parents, five siblings: Wannie, George, Richard, Natalie, and Frederick: and his wife of forty years, Carolyn Ford Taylor (d. 2014). 

Todd will be interred with Carolyn in the Memorial Wall and Cinerarium at First Unitarian Church, Albuquerque, NM. The family is planning a private service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials, and donations can be sent to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, www.uusc.org. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Caroline Fenderson, 29 Freshwater Drive, Palm Harbor, FL 34684.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com. 

The Rev. Neal W. Ferris

The Board of the UU Retired Ministers and Partners Association offers our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Neal Ward Ferris, who died on February 4, 2023, at the age of 87 (1935-2023).

Neal is survived by his partner and wife of thirty years Sylvia Foster, son David and two grandchildren, daughter Tanya Ferris, and brother Norman.

A celebration of life is scheduled for 2 pm on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter, 12 Elm St, Exeter, NH 03833.

Memorial gifts may be made to:

UU Service Committee of the UUA,

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),

Union of Concerned Scientists.

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

Notes of condolence can be sent to Sylvia Foster, 24 Woodridge Road, Durham, NH  03824.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com. 

Lorraine Colpitts

Lorraine Colpitts died on January 16, 2023 at the age of 99.  She is survived by by her sons and their spouses: Jon and Jeanne, David and Julie; her granddaughters and their spouses: Kate and Dustin, Megan and Luis; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, the Rev. Horace (Hank) Colpitts; and her sister, Nadine

Notes of condolence can be sent to Jon Colpitts, jon.colpitts@icloud.com. A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.  

The Rev. Brian S. Kopke

The Rev. Brian S. Kopke died on December 31, 2022, at the age of 77.

Brian was born on March 6, 1945, in Newton, MA to Walter F. Kopke Jr. and Blanche K. Kopke. He attended Duxbury High School (MA), and graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Geology from Colby College (ME) in 1964. While at Colby, he was president of the Inter-Faith Association. During his tenure, a coffee house was inaugurated. 

Following graduation, Brian felt called upon to make a decision that would have a bearing for the rest of his life. Back in childhood, he knew that the minister was a respected man with responsibility for the respect bestowed upon him. The cumulative experiences of life led him to believe that he could do the greater good by becoming a minister. With confidence in his sense of responsibility and sincerity, he entered Harvard Divinity School, earning his Bachelor of Sacred Theology in 1970.

Rev. Kopke was ordained on June 21, 1970, by the church he grew up in, the First Parish Church at Duxbury MA. He served the First Parish as a Religious Education Director for two years, contributing to the development of the Church School Curriculum. With new enthusiasm he helped revise programs for the upper grades, inspired the teachers to try out new methods, and conducted chapel services for the entire Church School every Sunday. He was very well received by the children and had a great rapport with the youth. 

In 1972, he accepted a call from the First Universalist Church of Southold NY where he would serve until 1977. From 1977 to 1984, Rev. Kopke served as settled minister for the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia PA. During his service of seven years, the deep financial deficits diminished, the sanctuary was restored, the Parish Room was refurbished, the roof replaced, and staff rebuilt. Pledges rose by nearly 60 percent, and membership increased by 10 percent. The building became a true community center with the great commitment of the laypeople. 

Subsequently, in 1985 Rev. Kopke was called to the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa ON. He served there until 2007, introducing the congregation to larger thinking that made headway in acceptance of the philosophy and design for growth. There was development in the church campus including U House, River Parkway Preschool, the congregation, and the meditation gardens as a center.

In addition to his parish ministry, Rev. Kopke was equally active in denominational affairs serving as a chair of the Joseph Priestley District Religious Education Committee; as a secretary of the ABSUURD UUMA cluster; and as a board member of the UU House Steering Committee. He was a member of the Canadian Unitarian Council and the UU Ministers of Canada. He served on the nominating committee of the Canadian Unitarian Council (1989–1991) and was a group facilitator and participant in the UUA Theological Education Plenary (1989). Furthermore, he provided his services as a UUMA Chapter leader (2004–2009), and as a member of the UUMA Convo Committee (2005).

In community, Brian advocated for a fair police complaint procedure and fair promotion and hiring practices in the Police Department. He served on the board of the Horizon House (MA). He was a passionate voice for social justice, a leader with great social sensitivity and the highest ethical convictions who believed human relations as sacred and holy.

In his leisure time, he enjoyed watercolor, drawing, sailing, racketball, jogging, woodworking, campaigning, hiking, gardening, movie making, and reading.

Brian is survived by his wife Margie Kopke; three children, Ben Kopke (Caddie), Sarah Kopke (Ben), and Sam Kopke; three brothers Cris Kopke (Jean), Kent Kopke (Colette), and Joel Kopke (Drew); one sister, Sara Harvey (John); two grandchildren Eleanor and Eamonn Kopke; and several nieces and nephews.

Two celebrations of life are being planned, one in the US and one in Canada (in the summer and fall respectively). UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support rebuilding the First Universalist Church of Southold <http://firstuniversalistsouthold.org/connect-2/donate/>. Checks may be mailed to PO Box 221, Southold NY 11971, with “Restoration Fund” in the memo line.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Margie Kopke at m.saxon.kopke@gmail.com or written here: <https://www.remembering.ca/obituary/brian-kopke-1087232660/guestbook>.