Author: Jaco ten Hove

The Rev. Emily Morse Palmer

The Rev. Emily Morse Palmer died on March 30, 2023, at the age of 93 (1929-2023).

Emily is survived by her four children: Linden Palmer Madara (Steven), Sidney M. Palmer, Page Palmer (Craig), and Grant S. Palmer (Heather); as well as twelve grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

She was given a green burial in Heartwood Preserve Conservation Cemetery, FL on April 6, 2023. A celebration of life was held at Shell Point Retirement Community, FL on April 14, 2023.

Memorial donations may be made to 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 sent to Lin Madara, 7999 Craginhall Court, Dublin OH 43017.

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. 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.