Christopher B. Nelson

Christopher B. Nelson died March 28, 2024, from Parkinson’s disease. He was born in Winchester MA, June 16, 1936, the son of John and Kathleen Nelson. He grew up in Quincy and earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from MIT in 1958. Family friends set him up with (later Rev.) Roberta “Bobbie” Martin. She was the love of his life, and they married in June 1960.

Chris retired in 2001 after 36 years of service with the federal government, first at the Lexington Lab (HHS) and then with the newly established EPA in Washington D.C. In its Department of Radiation Programming, he was an expert in modeling radioisotope transport and estimating radiation dose and risk from exposure. His work provided an important basis for EPA’s radiation protection regulations. He was also an integral part of Bobbie’s ministry, from co-writing curricula to teaching Sunday school.

In 2001, he and Bobbie built their dream home on the Bagaduce River (Maine). Chris volunteered at the Sedgwick Elementary School, and sang with the Bagaduce Chorale, their treasurer for several years. He was active in town meetings.

Chris enjoyed sailing, kayaking, traveling, reading and keeping up with the news. He and his wife were lifelong proponents of social justice.

In 2015, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. As the disease progressed, he moved to Parker Ridge Assisted Living, where he received wonderful care and support from the staff.

Chris was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, and is survived by their daughters Heather of Surry, Jennifer of Portland ME, and Joy and her husband John Saams of Gambrills MD; his brother John Nelson (Irene) of Amherst MA, and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brothers Peter and Mark.

A memorial service was held April 6, at the UU Church of Ellsworth ME.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to: The Bagaduce Chorale (bagaducechorale.org) and Parkinson’s Foundation (parkinson.org).

The Rev. Frederick “Rick” Koyle

The Rev. Frederick “Rick” Turner Koyle died on March 15, 2024, at the age of 79 (1944-2024). Rick is survived by his cousins: Alice Kaseberg and Pete Bluett; Deerfield Academy classmates; as well as his colleagues and friends.

A graveside service will be held at 1 pm on Monday, March 25, 2024, at Elmhurst Cemetery, 1510 Dale St N, St Paul MN 55117.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the 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 written here.

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. Janne Eller-Isaacs

The Rev. Janne Eller-Isaacs died on February 14, 2024, at the age of 71 (1953-2024).

Janne is survived by her son Jonah; daughters: Jessie (Andy), and Hannah (Tim); grandchildren: Lewis, Mira, Levi, and Benjamin; brothers: David (Abby), Jim (Jeannie), John (Margy) as well as her beloved nephews and a niece. She was preceded in death by her husband Rob (2022).

Two memorial services are being planned. One on April 27, 2024 (time TBA) at the First Unitarian Portland, 1211 SW Main St. Portland OR; and the other at Unity Church-Unitarian, 733 Portland Ave., St. Paul MN at 3 pm on May 11, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Unity Church- Unitarian and the UUMA. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolences may be sent to Hannah Franco-Isaacs, 4770 NE Going St, Portland OR 97218.

The Rev. David More Maynard

The Rev. David More Maynard died on November 22, 2023, at the age of 77 (1945-2023).

David is survived by his wife, Jane; four brothers; four children; and five grandchildren. A memorial service was held on Friday, December 8, 2023, at the First Unitarian Church of Portland, 1211 SW Main St., Portland OR.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Compassion & Choices or SOLVE Oregon. Notes of condolences may be written here.

The Rev. Steven Protzman

The Rev. Steven Protzman died on January 29, 2024, at the age of 65 (1958-2024).

Steven is survived by his mother, Carol Protzman; and seven siblings: Charles, Chris, Dawn Werling, Kevin, Brendan, Eric, and Marcia Grimes; as well as dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s own choosing.

Notes of condolences can be written here
<https://www.bisslerandsons.com/obituary/RevSteven-Protzman#tributewall>.

The Rev. James E. Grant

The Rev. James “Jim” E. Grant died on January 6, 2024, at the age of 88 (1935-2024).

Jim is survived by his spouse: Betty Wyatt Grant; his children: Martha Grant Fuller and James Edward Grant, Jr.; grandchildren: Elizabeth Fuller and Mikhael Fuller; three great-grandchildren; siblings: Athol Grant and Mary Carolyn Kominowski; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The celebration of life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at the First UU Church of San Diego, 4190 Front Street, San Diego CA 92103, in person and virtually. The link for the service is Celebration of Life for Rev. James E. Grant – YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYK0tEm4jYY>.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First UUChurch of San Diego <https://www.firstuusandiego.org/giving.html>.

Condolences may be sent electronically to mfullerpnp@yahoo.com or by mail
care of Martha Fuller, 4842 Hart Dr., San Diego CA 92116.

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, Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com.

The Rev. Ronald D. Marcy

The Rev. Ronald “Ron” D. Marcy died on January 4, 2024, at the age of 87 (1936-2024).

Ron is survived by his wife Judith (Klein) Marcy; his two children: Glenn Lawrence Blumberg, and Suzanne Lynn Marcy; sister Joan Allen; as well as his two nephews: Mark, and David Allen. He was preceded in death by his only grandchild, Emily Rose Blumberg.

Ron’s ashes will be laid to rest by his family this Spring in his beloved Palmer, Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County, 27 North Road, Peace Dale, RI 02879, for a Memorial Leaf in his honor for its Tree of Life; or The WARM Center, 56 Spruce Street, Westerly, RI 02891; or The Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County, 61 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879.

The Rev. Patience Jane Gardner

The Rev. Patience Jane Gardner died on January 3, 2024, at the age of 77 (1946-2024). Patience is survived by her son Bryant (Kate); granddaughters: Katherine and Margaret; niece Kirsten; and nephew Chris. She was preceded in death by her brother Bryant, mother Leticia, and father Edward. A memorial service was held on January 20, 2024, at the First Parish UU Church, 842 Tremont St, Duxbury MA 02332.

The Rev. Olivia Holmes

The Rev. Olivia Holmes died on December 11, 2023, at the age of 79 (1944-2023).

She is survived by brothers Sidney Holmes (and spouse Ruth) and Leonard Holmes (and spouse Louiselle), nephew, Nicholas Holmes and spouse Mary Katherine, nieces: Sarah Tucker, Danielle Gianesgro, Melissa Holmes, several grandnieces, and her beloved cat, Wiley.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. at the Peterborough UU Church, 25 Main Street, Peterborough NH. Information on a celebration after the service will be forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UUA Living Tradition Fund, P.O. Box 843154, Boston, MA, 02284. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolences may be sent to Sidney Holmes, 2344 Hunt Club Drive, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304.

The Rev. Cynthia B. Johnson

The Rev. Cynthia Barnes Johnson died on November 13, 2023, at the age of 81 (1942-2023).

Cynthia is survived by her husband Albert Johson; her children: Bruce Johnson, Tad Johnson (Beth Von Ohlen), and Ellen Willmore (Charlie Willmore); and her grandchildren: Alexander, Lucinda, Netta, and Wyatt.

A memorial service will be held in December.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Unity Hospice
<https://www.unityhospice.com/>, the UU Fellowship of Door County <https://uufdc.org/>, the Door County Land Trust
<https://www.doorcountylandtrust.org/> or your favorite Door County cause.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Al Johnson, 7455 State Highway 57, Baileys Harbor WI 54202 or amjohnsonbhwi@gmail.com.

A more complete obituary will follow.