Author: Jaco ten Hove

Ann Clark Howe

Obituary of Ann Clark Howe

Ann Howe, 99, of Raleigh and spouse of the late Rev. Dr. Charles A. Howe, died peacefully on August 14, 2024, after a brief illness, surrounded by family. Ann Elizabeth Clark was born in Richmond VA on October 18, 1924, to the late William Baker Clark and Louise Graham Clark. 

Ann grew up on the family farm in Buckingham County VA. She entered college at age 16 and graduated from Westhampton College, University of Richmond, Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. She also earned a master’s degree in organic chemistry at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Ann & Charles Howe, mid-1980s

She met Charles Howe at UNC after he returned from service in WWII and they were married in 1947.

Ann was an instructor in chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez, worked as a research assistant at UNC, and then spent a decade at home with her children. She was an elementary science teacher at the Lab School at the University of Chicago while her husband was a seminary student.

Ann then received a Ph.D. in science education from the University of Texas at Austin in 1970. She was a Professor of Science Education at Syracuse University, the head of the Department of Math and Science Education at North Carolina State University, and the head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Maryland. She was the first woman to hold a faculty position in her department at both Syracuse and N.C. State.

Her professional accomplishments are too numerous to detail here but included leadership roles in professional organizations, including President of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (1983–84), a Senior Fulbright Scholar in Chile, editorial roles with professional journals, and the author of numerous journal articles and two books. In retirement, Ann became a painter and was a member of Cary Gallery of Artists. 

She was a longtime member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh NC, where she served in various leadership roles. A person of great energy, curiosity and optimism, Ann balanced her professional achievements with a full family life, a love of travel, nature and gardening, and enjoying her many friends. 

She was predeceased by her husband, Charles, and her brother, William B. Clark Jr. She is survived by daughter Judy Howe (Robert Harangozo) of Yonkers NY, daughter Margie Chenery of Raleigh, and son David Howe of Albany NY; grandchildren Patricia Chenery, Sally Howe, Nora Howe, and Caroline Harangozo; her sister, Martha Bell; her sister-in-law, Jean Clark; and several nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024 at the UU Fellowship of Raleigh, 3313 Wade Avenue, Raleigh NC. 

Contributions in Ann’s memory may be made to Planned Parenthood South Atlantic or a charity of your choice. 

The Rev. Walter S. LeFlore

Walter LeFlore

The Rev. Walter S. LeFlore died on August 12, 2024, at the age of 72 (1952-2024).

Walter is survived by his wife Yvette LeFlore; his two children Alison LeFlore and Eric LeFlore (Audrey); grandchildren Nicholas Inferrara, Joseph Inferrara, and Elias LeFlore; brother Ivens LeFlore; and his two sisters Loretta Wells and Pat Francois.

There will be two celebrations of life services for Walter. One will be held at 1 pm on August 24, 2024, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke, 2015 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke VA 24015. Another will be held at 2 pm on September 14, 2024, at the First Parish Church of Stow, 353 Great Rd, Stow MA 01775.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Roanoke Reparations Group. Checks can be sent to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke, 2015 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke, VA 24015. Please mention Reparations in the memo
line. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolences may be written here:
<https://www.lotzfuneralhomesalem.com/tributes/Walter-LeFlore#share-a-memory>.

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. 

The Rev. Jeffrey D. Liebmann

The Rev. Jeffrey “Jeff” D. Liebmann died on August 7, 2024, at the age of 68 (1956-2024).

Jeff was born on July 5, 1956, in Barberton OH to Henry and Helen Liebmann. He was the youngest of three sons. When Jeff was 10, the family moved from Ohio to Pittsburgh. When he was in sixth grade, he found a place for himself in school plays. His opportunities to sing and act very early in life stood him in good stead following the transition to Pennsylvania and for many years following. 

Jeff earned his Bachelor of Science with a major in Chemistry (1978) and a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Organizational Development (1979), both from the University of Pittsburgh PA. Following graduation, he worked at the University of Pittsburgh as an analyst and Manager of Strategic Planning (1980–1992) and then as an assistant to the Provost (1993–2008).

Jeff was raised in a non-denominational church. He visited various churches during his teen years but was unaffiliated with any denomination. At age 30, he came across a brochure from a UU church. This led him to the East Suburban UU Church in Pittsburgh (1989). Soon, he was president of this small, lay-led congregation. In 1991, he moved to the Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh. He led primary grade classes for two years, took on junior high class, and moved up with youth into the high school class. He wrote and published religious education curricula across the country. 

During years of his lay leadership, he felt proud of his work and felt happy being with the UU community. His extensive experience promoting religious education for junior and senior Unitarian Universalist youth inspired him to promote youth ministry across the Association. He felt a call to this ministry. He wanted to help youth bridge not just into young adulthood but into meaningful adult membership in the UU churches. Becoming a UU minister, he wanted to model a religious life and live in covenant with others. He wanted to empower congregations to regularly assess their covenant, find meaning in the experience of worship, and maintain long-term health and vitality. Following this call, he graduated with his Master of Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological School (2010).

From 2010 to 2011, Jeff served the UU Congregation of Smithton PA as their consulting minister. He was ordained by the UU Fellowship of Midland MI on November 6, 2011, where he served for six years (2011–2017). At Midland, the Rev. Liebmann excelled at ministry with historically marginalized individuals. He mentored lay leadership and worked closely with the board to develop long-range planning. He supported the RE program, offered several Adult RE classes, and brought children into the services. He increased the number and variety of intergenerational worship services and helped facilitate the growth of activities attractive to both young adults and parents with children. From 2017–2018, he served at the UU Congregation of Columbia MI. His ministry at All Peoples, Louisville KY (2018–2019) helped prepare the congregation to find their next called minister.

The Rev. Liebmann inspired young people he worked with to live their religious beliefs by fostering youth empowerment and developing youth leadership. He impacted Unitarian Universalism with his strong leadership and curriculum development skills. He was heavily involved in UU activities and outreach to the denomination. He sat on the board of the Michigan UU Social Justice organization, was an adult leader on the Ohio-Meadville District Youth Adult Committee for ten years, and program consultant for Lifespan Faith Development for the Ohio-Meadville District. 

In community, he provided his services as a consultant for the Woodland Hills School District Board and as governing board chair for the Family Foundation Early Head Start Program (2001–2006).

Some of his works are “Sacred Threads” (Asian religions), “Thinking the Web” (moral issues), “Truth and Meaning” (Western religions), “Dare to Know” (Humanism and Western philosophy), “Heresy Apparent” (Unitarian Universalist history), “Paradigms Lost and Regained” (the construct of youth), and “Living in UUville” (Unitarian Universalist principles).

In his leisure time, he enjoyed collecting stamps, Matchbox cars, comic books, and various genres of books and he loved to sing. 

Jeff is survived by his spouse Jody Liebmann; children Emily Lemke (Sean), Marcus Goleman, Ashley Stack, Tyler Liebmann; grandchildren Wolfgang and Scarlett Lemke; brother Jon Liebmann; as well as numerous nephews.

A celebration of life was held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Midland, 6220 Jefferson Ave, Midland MI 48640.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s own choosing. Notes of condolences may be sent to Jody Liebmann, 18293 Sorrento St, Detroit MI 48235.

The Rev. Robert C. Sallies

Robert “Bob” Sallies

The Rev. Robert “Bob” C. Sallies died on August 6, 2024, at the age of 92 (1931-2024).

Bob was born on August 10, 1931, in Cleveland OH, to Mabel Tilton Sallies and Dorritt Sallies. He grew up in New Hampshire at the Weirs in Laconia and attended Laconia High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Hampshire (1954); Master of Sacred Theology (1965), and doctorate in church management (1981) from Andover Newton Theological School in Newton MA.

The Rev. Dr. Sallies was ordained to the Unitarian Universalist ministry on October 31, 1965. He served the Universalist Church of Westbrook, ME, from 1965–1968 and was the Northeast District Minister and District Executive from 1968–1980. From 1980–1988, he was Vice President of Finance for the UUA.

The Rev. Dr. Sallies served as a trustee of the UUA. He worked with the UU Service Committee and the Religious Education Committee at conferences at Ferry Beach ME. 

In Norway ME, Bob served on the Norway School Board and the Planning Board, and as moderator of Town meetings. He was a former president of the Weary Club and a member of Friends of Norway Library. He was also active on the Maine Council of Churches.

Bob and his wife Margie loved children, and their home at Round Pond was filled with them every summer. They also had many dogs and cats, from which they drew great pleasure.

Bob is survived by his wife of 71 years Margie Garrison Sallies; daughter E. Elizabeth Sallies; sister-in-law JoAnn Bolt Garrison; a larger number of nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, great-grand-nieces, and nephews, as well as one great-great grand-niece.

A memorial service was held at 2 pm on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at the First Universalist Church of South Paris, 36 Pine St, South Paris ME 04281.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Universalist Church of South Paris, 36 Pine St, South Paris ME 04281. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolences may be written here.

Christine Lilly Backus

Obituary for Elderberries, written by Chris’s niece, Alisha Lilly Sarang-Sieminski, who took care of Chris in her last years.  Edited for length by Eleanor Richardson.

Christine Backus

Christine Lilly Backus, known as Chris or Christy, embarked on her final adventure July 14, 2024, at the age of 77. Born Oct. 15, 1946, in Eugene OR, Chris and her husband of 53 years, the Rev. Andy Backus, lived in Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, California, Vancouver BC, and Bellingham WA. She came back to the Boston area for the past 2 years to live near family. 

Chris attended Moorestown Friends School (NJ). She earned a B.A. from Goucher College (MD), and an M.A. in Education from Harvard. Returning to her alma maters, Christy was an art teacher at the Friends School and Art Librarian at Goucher for a time.

Christy’s life with Andy was the stuff of quirky romantic comedies, deep love, and joint adventures. Their collaboration was a testament to their shared love of laughter and storytelling. They were excellent party hosts, especially on New Year’s Eve, their wedding anniversary. She joined forces with Andy to co-write the play “Older But Not Wiser (Younger But Not Cute),” which, true to form, was a hit at the Bellingham (WA) Theater Guild.

Christy shared a deep involvement in the UU church with Andy, not simply a minister’s wife and church member, but an active participant in the larger community, as a frequent attendee of UUA General Assembly, founding member of the UU minister’s partners group, and an active member of UURMaPA, including editing Elderberries. In recent years, she found a spiritual home at the Unitarian Church of Sharon MA.  Christy knew every song in the UU songbook without looking. 

Chris was always willing to lend a hand. Together, she and Andy boated the waters of the East and West coasts, taking on leadership roles within the Power Squadron at Semiahmoo Yacht Club in Bellingham. As a Commodore, she took pride and joy in teaching others about boating safety. Throughout her life, Christy was active in social justice, and canvassed for local candidates she believed in. 

As her capacity changed due to dementia, her core qualities still shone through and she was beloved by all of those who helped care for her. And one could absolutely imagine her making jokes about how being “demented” her whole life was finally catching up to her. 

Chris leaves behind nieces Alisha Sarang-Sieminski and Hema Sarang-Sieminski and their children (her grand-niblings), her sister Deb Lilly, and countless extended family and friends. 

As we say our goodbyes, let’s not forget to smile and be kind to one another; after all, that’s exactly what Christy would have wanted. Donations in Christy’s memory can be made to organizations that support democracy and reproductive rights – things she worked for throughout her life. Also to the UU Church of Sharon MA. UURMaPA will contribute to the UU Church of Sharon.

Christy’s memorial will be held at the Unitarian Church of Sharon on Saturday, August 24 at 3 PM, with a teatime reception to follow. A remote option will be available and the Zoom Link can be found on the church website: https://www.uusharon.org/calendar/christy-backus-memorial-service/. 

UURMaPA Purpose and Background to Latest Amendments by Board

On March 16, 2023, the Board of UURMaPA voted unanimously to amend the Purpose of UURMaPA as described in our organization’s by-laws. This vote came at the end of a year of study of whether UURMaPA should have a covenant or alternatively a change in our Purpose.

The first phase of this process was a discussion about whether our purpose would be well-served by including a covenant as part of UURMaPA membership. That discussion led the Board into a deeper dive about why we have never been a formal membership organization with boundaries that include affirmation and enforcement of a covenant. We found enough ambivalence about a covenant last year that the Board proposed a different approach. Recognizing that our governance philosophy has been to trust an empowered Board, and that our by-laws do not include annual meetings or votes, the Board put forward, instead of a covenant, a proposal for amendments to the Purpose of UURMaPA. The Board invited feedback in writing to this proposal following the Fall Conference in late October, after which any next steps or a final Board vote would be considered.

Seven UURMaPA members sent written responses. Three of these were broad reflections on the changing ministry that did not speak directly to thePurpose statement. Two responses were critical of the proposed changes and recommended simplifying or abandoning the proposed changes. One response focused on the phrase “anti-oppressive attitudes” in the last sentence, describing it as “vague” and “subjective”. This person hoped that the statement could be “more succinct and less ambiguous”. The Board considered these reflections and did not find them persuasive.

One response that we did find persuasive came from Rev. Scot Giles, who
encouraged us to include a reference to the guidelines and codes of conduct of the UU Society for Community Ministers, alongside that of the UUMA, since we have members who prefer to affiliate with UUSCM rather than the UUMA. We thank Scot for this suggestion. After review of the comments and discussion about our options, the following proposed amendments to the Purpose along with the Giles suggestion was moved, seconded and passed by a unanimous vote:

“In faithfulness to the Unitarian Universalist tradition and to the guidelines and code of conduct of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association and the Unitarian Universalist Society for Community Ministries, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Retired Ministers and Partners Association embody in our lives and our conduct with each other the values that we proclaim on behalf of our faith. Our purpose is to be an inclusive multicultural community that serves the interests and enhances the well-being of retired Unitarian Universalist ministers and their life partners through informational communication, periodic membership gatherings, and other supportive programs and activities. As a Unitarian Universalist organization of professionals and partners, we recognize that fulfilling our purpose calls us to cultivate anti-oppressive attitudes and practices consistent with our shared values, thereby promoting our collective well-being.”

The Board sees this as an appropriate step and a conclusion to this stage of the ongoing conversation among us about what UURMaPA means to us, and how we can continue to thrive as an inclusive organization welcoming future generations of retirees. In her written response, Marilyn Sewall wrote: “So much these days is mere ‘virtue signaling,’ and I hope we do not become a part of this phenomenon, which is simply empty rhetoric.” The Board has taken Rev. Sewall’s challenge very seriously, and we encourage UURMaPA members to do the same. We see the Purpose change as one small step among many steps to be taken to enhance the quality of our relationships and the courage of our conversations.

Barbara Bowman Prairie 

Barbara Prairie

Barbara Bowman Prairie died on August 4, 2024, at the age of 85 in Cincinnati OH, surrounded by her daughters, Adrienne and Karen, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.

Barbara was born on May 4, 1939, in Memphis TN, to Eugene C. Bowman and Mary Irene Wilke Lowe Bowman. Barbara was an active Girl Scout throughout her youth and attended Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley MA, where she majored in Chemistry. While in NYC she met and married Rick Prairie then moved to Champaign IL, where their children were born. They settled in Cincinnati, divorcing in 1973. During her time in OH, Barbara was active at St. John’s Unitarian church, worked as a counselor at the Margaret Sanger Center, and raised her daughters as a single mom with very limited resources.

In 1982, Barbara and Karen moved to the Washington DC, area where she worked at All Souls Unitarian Church and then to Boston in 1985. Barbara served as the General Assembly Administrator for the Unitarian Universalist Association for the next 17 years until her retirement.

She and husband Rev. Michael Boardman retired to Berea KY, on a whim, and thrived in this small arts and crafts college town. Her door always open, Barbara hosted international students and others in her fully furnished basement apartment. She hosted the annual neighborhood Labor Day party, garden tours, fundraisers, a three-day UURMAPA Board meeting, and more. Upon Michael’s death, she catalogued his whole library.

Barbara was an insatiable tourist. She loved traveling and seeking off the beaten track attractions. If you mentioned your door was open for a visit, she would absolutely show up as an enthusiastic guest. An excellent correspondent and engaged friend, she kept in touch with everyone no matter where she was, sending postcards from every location, as well as her annual Groundhog Day letter.

Valuing experiences over material gifts, family members were treated to trips with Barbara all across the US. Each grandchild chose their own destination for their 10th birthday celebration! She enjoyed sewing, pottery, macrame, woodworking, knitting, quilting, dancing, gardening, and innumerable other media.

Barbara is survived by her brother, Gene Bowman; daughters Adrienne Cruise, Karen Prairie; stepdaughters Katherine Boardman and Sheila Boardman; and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Boardman (2005), and partner, David Oldham (2023).

A Celebration of Life was held September 28, 2024 in Cincinnati. 

Endowment Fund

Endowment Fund Revision May 2021

UURMaPA, established in 1985, has served our liberal religious movement and the needs of retired UU ministers and their partners for more than a quarter of a century – and, with your support, will continue to serve for many years to come.

With this hope in mind, we have created an endowment fund. The Fund balance is to be held in perpetuity. Annually, the Board may withdraw up to 4% of the balance for supporting the annual budget. The Board may withdraw funds from the endowment fund balance in addition to this limitation. It will take two subsequent votes of the Board to access the Endowment beyond the annual withdrawal.

To contribute send a check made out to “UURMaPA Endowment Fund” to: Paul Johnson, Treasurer (as of July, 2024)
UU Retired Ministers and Partners Assoc.
1225 NW 21St, unit 402
Stuart, FL 34994

For details, contact Paul Johnson at treasurer@uurmapa.org.

There are other ways, too, of contributing to UURMaPA in a lasting way. You might consider naming UURMaPA in your will, for example. Or you might consider the purchase of a charitable gift annuity, that would generate income for you during your lifetime and leave a legacy for the organization.

Resolution to Create the UURMaPA Endowment Fund
Adopted October 7, 2008; Revised May 19, 2021

WHEREAS the primary fiduciary responsibility of the leadership of a nonprofit charitable organization is to further the mission of the organization and maintain its programs, and

WHEREAS the annual income for a non-profit charitable organization that is derived in any particular fiscal year will be influenced by current economic conditions and the generosity of current donors, and

WHEREAS the long-term financial stability of a non-profit charitable organization may benefit from income from funds donated in prior periods by previous supporters,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Executive Board of the Unitarian Universalist Retired Ministers and Partners Association at its regular meeting in October 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts hereby resolves to establish an ENDOWMENT FUND to hold assets in perpetuity that are donated for this purpose. The ENDOWMENT FUND will be governed according to the following policies:

1. The ENDOWMENT FUND will be managed by the Treasurer. The Treasurer may establish an Endowment Committee of three people approved by the Board to assist in the management of the Endowment Fund. The Treasurer is authorized to solicit contributions to UURMaPA to be designated for the ENDOWMENT FUND, with such contributions covered by the Association’s 501(c) (3) tax status as applied to charitable donations.

2. The Treasurer and/or the Endowment Committee is hereby authorized to undertake all the usual actions related to holding, making or disposing of investments in financial markets, such as through mutual funds and any mix of cash, equities or bonds. The Treasurer and/or the Endowment Committee may not incur obligations on behalf of UURMaPA beyond the assets of the ENDOWMENT FUND, and the ENDOWMENT FUND assets will not be co-mingled with other UURMaPA accounts.

3. The Endowment Fund will be invested in the Unitarian Universalist Association Common Endowment Fund and managed by the UUA. The Treasurer will report monthly to the Board on the balance of the Endowment Fund.

4. Withdrawals from the Endowment Fund may be made annually in the fall of each year and used in the creation of the next fiscal year budget. An amount up to 4% of the balance as of June 30th of that year may be withdrawn and added to the next year’s budget. The Board may withdraw funds from the endowment fund balance in addition to this limitation. It will take two subsequent votes of the Board to access the Endowment beyond the annual withdrawal.

5. The UURMaPA Executive Board shall have the authority to revise these policies in the event of a financial emergency or other urgent circumstance so long as they act in the best interests of the organization, however any such revisions shall require approval by the Board of Directors at two consecutive meetings.

6. Non-cash donations to the ENDOWMENT FUND such as individual equities will be sold as soon as practicable after they are received, with the proceeds added to the Endowment corpus and invested according to the financial policies then in force.

7. In order to stimulate contributions to the UURMaPA ENDOWMENT FUND, the Executive Board shall publicize the existence and purposes of the ENDOWMENT FUND to its members. Individual UURMaPA members may request and receive from the Treasurer a current report on the status of the Fund at any time.

8. In the event of the termination of the Unitarian Universalist Retired Ministers and Partners Association, the successor organization to receive any remaining assets will be the Unitarian Universalist Association Living Tradition Fund.

The Rev. Beth N. Williams

The Rev. Beth N. Williams died on August 1, 2024, at the age of 72 (1952-2024).

Beth was born on March 25, 1952, in Perth-Amboy NJ. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University NJ in 1974 before embarking on a successful career as a systems analyst, software developer, and project manager. She specialized in financial accounting mainframe computer systems and worked for a custodial bank in Boston and a consulting firm with offices in Boston, Chicago, and New York. 

During her time in Chicago (1979–1983), she was introduced to the UU faith and social action. Beth became involved with the 2nd Unitarian Church of Chicago volunteering in Religious Education. This sparked her passion for faith and community service and planted the seed of her calling to the UU ministry. Over ten years, her calling grew stronger and deeper. In 1993, Beth returned to Chicago to attend Meadville Lombard Theological School. In 1997, she graduated with her Master of Divinity.

Following graduation, the Rev. Williams served the First Unitarian Society of Chicago IL (1998–2000) and the UU Church of Greater Lynn, Swampscott MA (2000–2002) as a Minister of Religious Education. From 2002–2010, she was the UUA’s Religious Education and Music Leadership Credentialing Director. In this role, she counseled candidates of the Religious Education and Music Leadership Credentialing program relating to progressing through the program.

The Rev. Williams provided her services to the First Parish Church in Beverly MA (2006–2008) as a worship committee chair, as a member of the Flower Committee and Parish Council, occasionally taught church school, and sang in the choir. She then served as a Director of Religious Education at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge LA for six years (2012–2018). She retired from professional ministry in 2017. After retirement, she moved from Baton Rouge to Tucson AZ, and became active with the Mountain Vista UU Congregation AZ. She was involved with the Care Group there.

The Rev. Williams was active in the denomination serving on the board of the LREDA, on the Executive Committee of the Mass Bay District RE Team, and as a co-director of RE Week at Ferry Beach.

Beth extended warmth and care to everyone she encountered and valued fairness, inclusion, and compassion. She cared deeply about children and youth, including those who were on the margins or often left out.

Beth was an occasional knitter and a Red Sox fan. She enjoyed traveling to Latin America and teaching ESL. She had an interest in Spanish language and culture and volunteered with refugee families who transitioned through Tucson. She spent her last year at Brookdale Oro Valley (assisted living facility) where she made friends with the staff and residents.

Beth is survived by her brother, Doug Nuber, as well as several cousins. A celebration of life service was held at the Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 3235 W Orange Grove Rd, Tucson AZ 85741.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following:

UURMaPA contributed to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry. Notes of condolences may be sent to Kristi Lewis, 14090 N. Lobelia Way, Oro Valley AZ 85755.

Maia Williams

Maia Williams

The literary community of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, lost one of its most active and passionate members when Maia Williams, 69, died on July 30, 2024. She was born in 1955.

Maia was the Co-Director of the San Miguel Writers’ Conference from 2014 to 2020.

One memorable event was when the Literary Sala entertained the daughter of Diego Rivera, Guadalupe Rivera Marin, for a weekend. In her honor, Maia created a formal banquet using recipes from a book Guadalupe wrote called, Frida’s Fiestas: Recipes and Reminiscences of Life with Frida Kahlo.

Maia was founding editor for San Miguel’s bilingual arts and culture magazine Crossroads, published from 2015–2020. She also founded the Prose and Poetry Café, a monthly reading series featuring accomplished local and visiting writers. She conducted writing workshops called “Wild Muse: Show Up and Write,” offering inspiration to several hundred aspiring authors over the years. They grew to include year-round, in-person and online courses for writers of short-form creative nonfiction, resulting in the publication of the anthology, Memory as Muse: Then and Now.

Maia and her husband, Rev. Wyman Rousseau, arrived in San Miguel in 2011 from Charlotte NC, for what they called “a year of living creatively,” and they never left. Maia topped off her U.S. career as CEO of a sales and management consulting firm in the Carolinas, growing annual client revenues from $500 to $750 million over five years. She volunteered across North Carolina as an advocate for creative arts organizations, including the board of Charlotte’s renowned Arts & Science Council and as annual fundraising chair for The Echo Foundation, an educational organization focused on social justice, with strong ties to the late Elie Wiesel, humanitarian, literary icon, and Nobel peace laureate.

The common threads throughout her career were building community, growing businesses, supporting social justice efforts and the arts. Maia celebrated love, laughter, friendship, equity, and kindness in all she did.

We offer our condolences to Wyman, son Landon, daughter-in-law Tracy, and three grandchildren.

Contributions to the GoFundMe campaign for Wyman’s ongoing care needs will be greatly appreciated. The site also allows you to leave words of support and sympathy, which Wyman will see.