Author: Jaco ten Hove

2024 Unsung UURMaPAn—Patt Herdklotz

Patt Herdklotz, exulting outside the last national UURMaPA conference before the pandemic, Scottsdale, AZ, Feb. 2020

UURMaPA runs as well as it does because of our volunteers. And most of the time we are unaware of what goes into keeping us connected and informed. So each year, the Board honors an “Unsung UURMaPAn”—a volunteer who has made a singular contribution to our organization, working behind the scenes in their retirement years. 

Our 2024 Unsung UURMaPAn is Patt Herdklotz.

Patt, who resides in Oregon, has been retired since 2017 and she began her service as our Membership Coordinator in July of 2020. This particular position has a lot of moving parts:

  • keeping membership information current (monthly updates to an Excel spreadsheet plus two Directories in a different format, adding new members as ministers retire and deleting those who pass on);
  • making sure the webmaster and others all have the latest directory information;
  • extracting information from the Excel data for mailings;
  • maintaining a separate e-mail “Announce” list… and so on.

The job entails a lot of data management and sometimes proves frustrating. Patt wrangled the information into shape, sometimes against time constraints and a bulky, complex system. Her good humor and flexibility in continuing on with this work when we didn’t find a replacement in a timely fashion is also so deeply appreciated.

For these years of service behind the scenes, keeping us connected in important ways, we are thrilled to award this honor to the Reverend Patt Herdklotz, recipient of the UURMaPA Unsung Volunteer Award for 2024. Congratulations! 

Lackey Rowe

Lackey Rowe

Lackey Rowe, husband of the Rev. Jean McKnight Rowe, died Dec. 8, 2024 of Alzheimer’s. He was born June 12, 1938 in Union City TN, the son of Lester Lackey Rowe Sr. and Helen Miller Rowe. 

He grew up all over the south—Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky and Mississippi—but always returned to Memphis TN with his dog Red, a present on his 6th birthday, who lived 18 years. An only child, Lackey was given all the things most children think they want, like a pony, cars, attention and support. After a long string of schools, he graduated from Columbia Military Academy in Columbia TN.

After high school, Lackey joined the Marine Corps Reserves for eight years and trained at Parris Island SC. He attended Memphis State University, then attained a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Mississippi. After a stint in the Philippines as a math tutor in the Peace Corps, he returned to Ole Miss and earned a law degree in 1966. He had a reputation for his liberal stance on all matters political and/or controversial in Mississippi.  

That year, he married Andromache Castanis. They had two daughters, Helen and Nicole.

He was admitted to the Mississippi Bar and hired as a staff attorney with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in Jackson. As a civil rights lawyer, he tried cases all over the state, assisted by prominent lawyers from across the U.S. who came to work with the Lawyers Committee. Suddenly he was learning law from the best and brightest lawyers in the country and trying cases with their assistance because he was the only one on staff who was licensed to practice law in Mississippi. 

Three days after his first day at work, he was in court challenging the discriminatory jury composition in a criminal case. In 1969, he joined the U.S. Equal Opportunities Commission, working in Memphis and St. Louis. Later employment included real estate and human resources director for Marriott Hotels in New Orleans, Minneapolis and Nashville, and human resources director at The Peabody Hotel in Memphis.

He was divorced in 1991 and in 1994 married Rev. Jean McKnight Rowe. They lived in Memphis until 2005, when they retired to Brevard NC, where he was active in the Unitarian Universalists of Transylvania County, the NAACP, and was an avid writer of letters to newspapers in Memphis and Brevard.

Lackey died with a huge debt of gratitude to lawyers who practiced in Mississippi in the 1960s and who are still fighting for racial equality. If his life stood for anything, it was “equal justice under the law” and abolishing racial discrimination. This is how he wanted to be remembered.

He is survived by his wife Jean; daughter Nicole Rowe Heroux; one granddaughter; one great-granddaughter; stepsons Michael J. Rickard (Julie Jeannine) and Kenneth C. Rickard (Amy Hobby); and two step-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter Helen.  

There will be a memorial service at UUs of Transylvania County and another at Neshoba UU Church in Memphis, dates to be determined.

Donations in his memory can be mailed to Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Attn: Development Department, 1500 K Street NW, Suite 900, Washington D.C. 20005.

The Rev. Harry H. Hoehler

The Rev. Harry H. Hoehler died on December 3, 2004, at the age of 95 (1928-2024).

Harry was born on December 5, 1928, in Philadelphia PA, to Harry G. Hoehler and Dorothy Heyden Hoehler. He pursued his education at Haverford College PA, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts, following which he earned a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School in 1954. From 1955–1958, Harry worked as an Assistant Dean of Freshmen at Harvard University MA. During this time, he met Judith Anderson, who was working in Cambridge and would later attend Harvard Divinity School herself. The couple married in 1956. In 1984, Harry was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School.

The Rev. Dr. Hoehler was ordained on June 6, 1954, by the First Parish in Cambridge MA. Following his ordination, he began his career in the UU ministry, first serving as an assistant minister at the First Parish in Milton MA (1955–1958) and then as a minister at the First Parish in Beverly MA (1958–1964). Thereafter, in 1964, he accepted a call from the First Parish Church in Weston MA. 

After Judith was ordained in 1975, the two forged one of the first co-ministries in the country, jointly serving the Weston church until their retirement in 1995. During their ministry, significant changes took place in the worship life of the church. While Sunday morning remained the central event, worship services became more varied and dynamic. Regular Thursday vespers and morning prayers were introduced, along with the addition of special days and celebrations to both the Sunday morning calendar and the church calendar of special occasions. The church members became more involved in the organization and operation of the church. There was also considerable growth in the adult education offerings and Sunday School and youth programs flourished, with enhanced curricula and increased participation. 

The Revs. Hoehler played an outstanding role not only within the congregation but in the wider community and beyond. In 1994, the UUA honored them with the Award of Distinguished Service to the Cause of the Unitarian Universalism. The following year, in 1995, the First Parish Church in Weston honored the Rev. Dr. Hoehler as their minister emeritus.

Throughout his career, the Rev. Dr. Hoehler was deeply engaged in various leadership roles within the denomination serving on the board of the Church of the Larger Fellowship (1958–196) and the Unitarian Sunday School Society (1959). He was a member of the Committee on Theological Education (1960–1962) and held positions such as President of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers’ Association of Essex County (1960–1961) and President of the Unitarian Christian Fellowship.

In addition to his contribution to the denomination, Harry was known for his leadership in social justice issues. He was active in the civil rights movement, joining the 1963 March on Washington and answering Martin Luther King’s call to northern clergy to come to Selma.

Fostering links between his own congregation and various interfaith organizations, Rev. Hoehler dedicated himself to promoting ecumenical understanding and cooperation. In this vein, he served as President of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, President of the Massachusetts Bible Society, denominational representative to the Greater Boston Church Leaders’ Covenant for Urban Justice, Official Observer at the World Council of Churches in Uppsala, Sweden, and Member, with Judith, of the U.S. Interreligious Committee for Peace in the Middle East. In 1996, he and Judith jointly received the Forrest L. Knapp award for Ecumenism from the Massachusetts Council of Churches.

His leadership extended to youth programs as well, where he directed the Rowe Senior High Camp in 1962. He participated in desegregating the Boston public schools and oversaw the founding of Roxbury Weston Preschool, housed in First Parish to this day. He was a part of the delegation that traveled to California to meet with Cesar Chavez in support of the grape workers’ strike in 1973.

In his writings and public talks, such as the UUA Minns Lectures of 1968 and 1975, Harry developed his ideas on interreligious dialogue, an intellectual trajectory that culminated in his book, Christian Responses to the World Faiths. In addition, he published numerous articles in theological journals, as well as two books of sermons, co-authored with Judith. 

Harry had a deep love for classical music and possessed a prodigious command of American and European history.

Harry is survived by his wife of 68 years Rev. Judy Hoehler; his daughters Cynthia Hoehler-Fatton (Robert), and Kristen Hoehler (Spencer); three grandchildren, one step grandchild, and one step great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his eldest daughter Carolyn Hoehler, and his sisters Mary Hoehler Thompson, and Bonnie Metz.

A memorial service was held at 11 am on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the First Parish Church in Weston, 349 Boston Post Road, Weston MA 02493. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s own choosing. Notes of condolences may be sent to Judy Hoehler at hoehlerjudith@gmail.com.

Donna E. Clifford

Donna Clifford

Donna E. Clifford, 76, died Nov. 25, 2024, at her home in Woburn MA, after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was the spouse/beloved life partner of the late Rev. Dr. Dorothy Emerson.

Donna was born in Stoughton MA, Dec. 22, 1947. She was the daughter of Ward and Barbara (Batchelder) Clifford. She graduated from Stoughton High School in 1965 and received a B.A. in Philosophy from UMass Amherst in 1970. Donna was a longtime member of the Melrose MA, Unitarian Universalist Church. She was very active in many UU organizations over the years.

Donna and Dorothy shared over 30 happy years together and were legally married in June 2004. They traveled to many places before Dorothy’s sudden passing in May 2019.

Donna worked as a professional financial advisor specializing in socially responsible investments at the company she founded, Rainbow Investment Solutions. She was affiliated with many organizations, including Zonta Club of Medford, Medford Arts Council, NAACP, MUUA and many others.

Donna loved to travel, especially to Provincetown MA, Sedona AZ and Hawaii. She recently enjoyed a wonderful trip to Italy. Her hobbies included photography, hiking, writing poetry, music, reading and art. She loved spending time with her family and many friends and was loved dearly.

Donna is survived by her son, Damian Elrod (Susan) of Michigan, and grandson, Zade Elrod of Michigan. She is survived by siblings: Judy Barrette of Norton MA; Diane (Rich) Rodriguez of Santa Barbara CA; Janet (John) Fahey of Stoughton MA; Joan (Peter) Ouellet of Mashpee MA; Ward (Kristina) Clifford of Hull MA; and Sherri (Kevin) Stone of Bourne MA; as well as many nieces, nephews, uncle and aunt, cousins, dear friends and colleagues. Besides her wife and parents, she was predeceased by her brother-in-law, Robert Barrette.

A Celebration of Life was held Jan. 18, 2025, at the Melrose UU Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at BIDMC.org; or Melrose UU Church (please make checks to Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church with “in honor of Donna Clifford” on the memo line, 70 West Emerson Street, Melrose MA 02176). 

2024 Creative Sageing Award

Carole Martignacco

Unitarian Universalist Retired Ministers and Partners Association presents its 2024 Creative Sageing Award to Carole Martignacco

Former teacher and religious educator Carole Martignacco retired from parish ministry in 2019, after over two decades serving congregations in Minnesota, Quebec, and Vermont. During her Canadian ministry, she served as President and Vice President of UUMOC and on the CUC Board; she also designed and conducted training workshops for lay chaplains all across Canada. During her ministry she published The Everything Seed (Tricycle Press 2006), a contemporary origin myth, as well as a meditation manual Open to the Spirit (AuthorHouse 2018) based on her weekly interfaith newspaper column. Since retiring she heeds her own counsel to reclaim an earlier version of herself as poet and artist, continuing to expand her creative life as a writer in myriad ways: 

  • Exploring reprint possibilities for The Everything Seed in English, Spanish and French, in softcover and as an e-book;
  • Publishing her first full-length poetry collection entitled A Bowl of Orange Suns (Shoreline Press, QC 2021);
  • Founding the Fundy Bay Writers in New Brunswick, offering regular poetry readings and twice-monthly online writing workshops;
  • Teaching writing and other workshops, both in person and online;
  • Creating and editing Eco Lyrics of Love and Lament, an anthology published in cooperation with the local Sunbury Shores arts center;
  • Serving on the executive board of Haiku Canada;
  • Publishing Teasing the Times (Yarrow Press, QC May 2023), a collection of 100 haiku. She writes a daily haiku as spiritual practice;
  • Creating and editing Porch to Porch, a maritime haiku anthology;
  • Continuing to write a weekly column with interfaith colleagues for the Record newspaper in Sherbrooke, QC (since 2014); 
  • Leading interfaith retreats and designing e-book meditation manuals in the spirit of her first one, Open to the Spirit:  The Soul’s Alphabet;
  • Leading worship from time to time, often on Zoom — “a modern miracle”;
  • Offering Labyrinth retreats and earth-based events at a local church;
  • Launching a new project focused on grief following the death of her husband David Turner in May 2024, employing the 5-line Japanese tanka poetic form.

Deeply committed to improving her craft, Carole maintains a list of projects above her computer, including a memoir in poetry of her years as a single parent, work on five e-books based on her “Open to the Spirit” newspaper column, distilling decades of sermons to a series of one-pagers, and continuing to build a wider community of artistic collaborators. She loves to encourage others’ creativity.

Carole is passionate about claiming this stage of life as richly fulfilling.  

“One way I’ve found to keep energy from lagging in these truly ‘golden’ playful years is to go with the flow. I have more creative projects than I can ever hope to complete.” Creativity brings a perpetual renewal of wonder, joy and awe, which serves as her own fountain of youth. She stands by Bob Dylan’s adage, “The purpose of art is to stop time.”

Carole’s wide-ranging creative endeavors writing, publishing and teaching, as well as her passion for drawing people into creative community, inspire us all to follow her lead in keeping creative energy flowing. We are pleased to honor her with UURMaPA’s 2024 Creative Sageing Award.  

Presented by her UURMaPA colleagues
at the Fall Conference, October 23, 2024

Maxine (Hertel) Steeves

Maxine Steeves

Maxine S. (Hertel) Steeves, 95, died Nov. 13, 2024. Born March 29, 1929, in Fitchburg MA, Maxine was the daughter of Max and Emma (Lamothe) Hertel. After graduating from Fitchburg State Teachers College, she taught in Fitchburg and Leominster. This drive continued later with home tutoring for students and adults with learning disabilities.

In 1952, she married the one and only love of her life, The Rev. Bertrand H. Steeves (save for a lighthearted crush on author A.D. III, which was well known to Bert and the family). Bert died in 2020 at age 94.  They were married 68 years.

From 1956–1994, she joined Bert and his calling at the First Religious Society, UU, in Newburyport MA, where she was not just the First Lady but a passionate advocate for justice and civil rights. Here, as the powerful woman she was, she stood by his side fighting against racial injustices, for LGBTQ and Civil Rights, even going as far as to go out in the middle of the night to spray paint over neo-Nazi skinhead graffiti like some kind of ninja for justice. She marched with MLK, Jr. and fostered a small child from Kenya, who grew up to have a large part in South African apartheid. 

At home, she hosted dignitaries from across the globe and shared life in a small New England community. In these roles, she maintained her grace, wisdom, and a sense of delightful humor. She was recognized with many accolades including entrance into the Clara Barton Sisterhood, honoring her enduring legacy of courage and compassion.

Maxine and her family enjoyed wonderful summers at their cottage in Fryeburg ME, soaking in its natural beauty and tranquility. She was known to bring English flashcards along on these vacations, much to the dismay of her children. As if that wasn’t enough, she also forced anyone present to play Scrabble (which she always won and knew she would). If you knew the difference between “There” and “Their,” you had her undivided attention.  At the age of 72, Maxine became a published author of booklets, “Glimpses of the Past” and “Root and Branches.”

The gift of her life will continue to be treasured by her children: Jonathan R. Steeves, Kathryn W. Steeves and husband Stephen I. Weiss, and Christopher I. Steeves and husband Thomas J. Brewer; five grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. The family will have a burial at Oak Hill Cemetery, Newburyport, in August 2025, where Bert and Maxine will be laid to eternal rest together.