Category: Obituary: C

The Rev. Max Alden Coots, 81, died in at home March 3, 2009 from lymphoma. He served congregations in New York City, Cortland, Canton and Central Square, NY. His longtime friend the Rev. Jack Taylor writes, “In the late 1980s, Max, whose chief avocation was gardening, shared a poem with his congregation as a Thanksgiving meditation. [His poem appeared in the November 2008 Elderberries.] It became a significant experience for thousands of families and individuals.” Max will also be remembered for his wit and his love of puns. He was a US Navy veteran and a graduate of Bucknell College and Columbia University. He was awarded a Doctor of Sacred Theology at Starr King School for the Ministry. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Ramsay of Canton, three sons, a step-daughter, step-son, five grandchildren and six step-grandsons.

Susan Elizabeth Cooper, 90, widow of The Rev. Henry Cooper, died Oct. 17, 2012, In Burlington VT. She was born on Aug. 13, 1922, in Indianapolis, IN, to Ralph Stephenson and Mildred Hill Stephenson. The family lived in Alabama and Washington before settling in Michigan. Susan graduated from Grosse Pointe High School in 1940 and earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan in 1944.

On April 5, 1944, Susan married Henry Cooper following his return from work as an ambulance driver for the American Field Service in the Middle East. His service in the 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army took them to bases in Colorado and Iowa. After the war, they moved to Chicago where Henry attended Meadville Theological School at the University of Chicago. His career as a Unitarian minister led them to parishes in eight communities in Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Susan participated actively in church activities.

She taught school briefly and took graduate courses at Assumption College in Worcester, Mass. Committed to issues of peace and social justice, she attended the 1963 civil rights march in Washington D.C., participated in the peace movement, and was member of a court diversion board in Springfield. After Henry’s death in 1984, she moved to Burlington where she was active in the Unitarian Universalist Society and the AAUW. She volunteered at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont and met with friends monthly to read plays aloud. During the last three years of her life she participated in a clinical research trial of a drug designed to alter the course of Alzheimer’s disease.

In March 2010, Susan found a peaceful home in the Gardenview unit at the Converse Home in Burlington. She was cared for by gentle, thoughtful people who appreciated her feisty personality, her quirky wit, her remarkable vocabulary, her knowledge of current and historical events, and her concern for the needs of other residents. She was no longer burdened by responsibilities, she was never lonely, and she was engaged in interesting activities. She lived joyfully in the moment, stopping to pick up a fallen leaf, to look at a flower, or to watch a butterfly. Her family is immensely grateful for the refuge which Converse Home provided.

Susan is survived by her daughter, Marga Sproul and her husband, Glenn, of South Burlington; her son, Paul Cooper and his wife, Rebecca Eaton, of Kennebunkport, ME; her daughter, Christine Cooper of Seattle, WA.; her son, Hal Cooper of Moscow, ID; and five grandchildren.

Notes of remembrance may go to Dr. Marga S. Sproul, G-8 Stonehedge Dr., S. Burlington, VT 05403.

The Rev. Dr. David H. Cole, 90, died June 26, 2011 at home in hospice care, after a long illness. A native of Lynn, MA, he graduated from Tufts University and Crane School of Theology. He received an honorary doctorate from Meadville Lombard. He served congregations in MA, IL, MD, OH, CA and NY. He was named minister emeritus by the West Shore Unitarian Church of Rocky River, OH, when he retired there in 1986. A strong proponent of a world community, he was active in the UUSC and the IARF. He was an advocate for Palestinian issues and he helped found the Society for Community Ministries. He enjoyed sailing, carpentry, gardening, tennis, golf and playing bridge or cribbage. He liked meeting with the clergy study group in Sudbury, MA, the Fraters of the Wayside Inn. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Iska (Jurasek-Godsey) Cole and their seven children: Victoria, Steven, Linda, Karen, Cynthia, Kevin and Gloria.

Roxanne Catherine Tullsen Cohen, MD, 69, widow of the Rev. Albert Orlando, died Mar. 5, 2013 of complications from a stroke. She was a renowned obstetrician/gynecologist who served the New Orleans community in private practice for 35 years. Cathy cared for countless women and delivered thousands of babies. She was born May 6, 1943, in Cincinnati and grew up in Scotch Plains, NJ, where she graduated third in her class at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School. She graduated from Bucknell University and studied at The University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

She earned her medical degree from the University of Rochester and completed her internship and residency at The University of Chicago’s Lying-in Hospital. After these years, Cathy said that she would never live in a cold climate again.

Cathy also served as a U.S. Navy medical officer at Camp Lejeune, NC, before joining The Women’s Medical Centers in 1975. She also provided medical expertise at Planned Parenthood of Louisiana.

An active member of the First UU Church of New Orleans, Cathy was married to long-time minister and civil rights leader, the Rev. Albert D’Orlando, until his death in 1998. Cathy was a choir member for many years and also served as President of the Board of Trustees. She supported the ACLU and grew her hair for Locks of Love. She will be remembered for her warm sense of humor, thoughtful conversation, good nature, wisdom, sense of conviction and generosity. Cathy was avid reader, who enjoyed everything from literature to People Magazine.

Her love of classical music was matched only by her dedication to TV sitcoms. Long indifferent to professional sports, after age 60, she developed a passion for the Saints and became fluent in football statistics and knew about every player. She adored her many pet dachshunds and her cats. A faithful correspondent with a penchant for traveling, Cathy maintained life-long friendships around the globe.Cathy is survived by her brother Peter Tullsen (Nancy), niece Barbara Hill (Dan), nephew John Tullsen (Evan Siegel), grandnephew Wesley Hill, and grandniece Alaina Hill. She is also greatly missed by her companion, Nick Napolitano.

Notes of remembrance may go to her nephew: John Tullsen, 3525 North Marshfield Ave., Chicago, IL 60657.

The Rev. John M. Coffee, Jr. died on May 8, 2012. He was 83 years old. Rev. Coffee was born in Tacoma, WA on November 20, 1928 to John M. and Lillian S. Coffee. Rev. Coffee attained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University in 1951. He then went on to earn a Bachelor of Sacred Theology and a Master of Sacred Theology from Harvard Divinity School in 1954 and 1956, respectively.

Rev. Coffee was ordained by the First Unitarian Church of Tacoma, WA on August 15, 1954. From there, he was called to the First Church in Roxbury, MA and served as its Minister from 1955-1977. He served the Church of Our Father in East Boston, MA from 1961-1974; and the Benevolent Fraternity of Unitarian Universalist Churches from 1978-1982. As an interim minister, he served at the First Unitarian Church of Providence, RI from 1977-1979. He was Minister Emeritus at the First Unitarian Church in Roxbury from 1977 until the end of his life. He also served as president of the Boston Minister’s Association.

Rev. Coffee taught for 39 years (1966-2005) at Emerson College in Boston, MA. As a longtime faculty member and eventual Professor Emeritus of History, Rev. Coffee was known by colleagues and students, alike, as a “talented storyteller who brought history alive in his classroom.” He was also one of the authors of A Century of Eloquence, a large volume on the his- tory of Emerson College.

Rev. Coffee was an avid collector of transportation tokens. In fact, at the time of his death, he owned the world’s largest collection of transportation tokens. He was the author of several books on the matter including Land Company and Real Estate Tokens, Automobile Washing Tokens, and The Atwood-Coffee Catalogue of United States and Canadian Transportation Tokens.

Rev. Coffee is survived by loving friends, colleagues and students.

Dorothy Moore Clary, 82, wife of the Rev. Bruce Clary, died December 23, 2010. She had been a physical education teacher who had a passion for teaching. She enjoyed swimming. During Bruce’s ministry at First Church, Dedham, MA, Dottie was an active member of the Women’s Alliance. Her work on the Alliance board included serving as co- president. She is remembered for helping with mailing the newsletter, networking, greeting and working on the church’s holly fair fundraiser. She supported the Dedham Food Pantry, volunteering many hours on behalf of the congregation. When she turned 80, Dottie was presented with the Clara Barton Award by the First Church (Dedham) Women’s Alliance. She is survived by her brother Charles Moore of Greenfield, MA, by three grandchildren and by her husband of 33 years.

The Rev. Bruce M. Clary, 72, died September 15, 2011. He earned his BA from the University of Tulsa and his Bachelor of Divinity from Meadville Lombard. He served churches in Bridgewater, MA; Oklahoma City, OK; Barre, VT; Stoughton, MA; Mentor, OH; and First Church and Dedham, MA, which named him minister emeritus. He served on the UUSC Board, the UUMA Exec, the CLF RE Committee, the LREDA Board, the Ballou Channing District RE Committee, and the Unitarian Sunday School Society. He was listed in Who’s Who in Religion and Who’s Who in America. He had received Special Recognition by the UUSC and had been awarded the Oklahoma Governor’s Award for Community Service. He authored a number of books, including Views from the Iceberg. In retirement his interests included painting, photography, writing, cooking, community theater, antiques, nautical history, and Native American art and rituals. He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy Clary, in December. He is survived by his son, David Clary, his daughter-in-law, three granddaughters, and his sister, Barbara Clary Martin, and her husband, and by a niece and two nephews.

The Rev. Robert C. Clarke, 84, died on January 18, 2013. Rev. Clarke was born in Seattle, WA on June 11, 1928 to Ethel (Moore) and Clarence Clarke. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Millikin University in 1960. He then went on to attain a Bachelor of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1963.

Rev. Clarke was ordained on September 20, 1964 at the First Unitarian Society in Exeter, NH, where he also served from 1964-1967. He went on to serve the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA from 1967-1977; The First Unitarian Church of Dallas, TX from 1977-1980; the Unitarian Church North in Mequon, WI from 1982-1983; and the First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati, OH from 1983-1991. Rev. Clarke was honored with the title of Minister Emeritus from the First Unitarian Church, and retired from ministry in 1991. In 1996, he helped found the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County in Ephraim, WI.

Committed to his faith, Rev. Clarke lectured at the Star Island Family Conference in 1966; and spoke at the Southwestern Regional Conference in 1979. He was a member of the Holmes-Weatherly Award Committee in 1970 and 1971. He also served as Chairman of the Washington Advisory Committee to the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Department of Social Responsibility in 1967; as well as the Commission on Education for Professional Religious Leadership from 1970-1971.

Rev. Clarke enjoyed football, softball, golf, music, and reading. He was a guest on numerous religious television programs in Chicago, IL, Washington D.C., and Dallas, TX. He also volunteered at the Hadley School for the Blind and counseled prisoners.

Rev. Clarke is survived by his wife of 62 years, Anne; daughter, Betsy; son, Jim; grandchildren Marie and Justin; and great-granddaughter, Ava. He was predeceased by his sister, Helen, and brothers, Jim and Jack.

A memorial concert took place on Sunday, May 19, 2013 3:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County, 10341 Water Street, Ephraim, WI 54211.

Notes of condolence may be sent to Anne Clarke at 10554 Applewood Drive, Sister Bay, WI 54234.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Good Samaritan Society – Scandia Village at 10560 Applewood Rd., Sister Bay, WI 54234; or to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County at P.O. Box 859, Sister Bay, WI 54234.

The Rev. Ronald Eugene Clark, 70, died August 16, 2006. He served at May Memorial of Syracuse, NY; the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City; and First Unitarian Church of Stoneham, MA, where he was named Emeritus Minister. He served the UUA 1976-1985 as Extension Director then as Director of Church Staff Finances. He later founded the Clark School in Danvers, MA, a private elementary school. He is survived by his wife Sharon and his three children: Kevin, Kristen and Jeffery.

The Rev. R. Lanier Clance, 74, died on April 15, 2013. Rev. Clance was born in Jacksonville, FL on December 18, 1938 to Henry and Eloise Clance. He attained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Lynchburg College in 1965. He also earned a Bachelor of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary in 1965.

Rev. Clance was ordained at the First Universalist Church in North Olmstead, OH on February 20, 1966. He was called to serve the First Universalist Church (now the Olmstead Unitarian Universalist Congregation) in 1965, and he stayed there until 1974. He then went on to found the First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta, GA in 1976. He continued to serve there (as well as the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Riverdale in Atlanta, GA from 1996-1998) until his retirement in 2001. He was given the honor of being named Minister Emeritus of the First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta in 2001.

Rev. Clance worked hard to uphold peace and justice in his community and beyond. Being a feminist, humanist, and all-around political activist, it comes as no surprise that his beliefs led him to work with the National Organization of Women (N.O.W.), the American Civil Liberties Union (A.C.L.U.), and various other community organizations.

A practitioner of Gestalt and existentialist therapies, Rev. Clance also counseled couples and individuals, and “was a compassionate and forthright companion through his clients’ suffering and joy.”

In 1976, Rev. Clance and eight other people joined together to form the First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta. They would eventually build its membership to 450 members by 1981. As one of the founders, Rev. Clance helped form a congregation which was intentionally diverse, bringing together folks from many different communities and helping them view life through a more expansive and generous lens. “As a speaker and leader, he was known for his spontaneity, honesty, and gift of being present in the moment. His legacy includes both a profound acceptance of others as they were and his dedication to urging his congregants to become more fully themselves.”

In “An Existential Ministry: Theory and Practice,” Rev. Clance speaks on his ministerial approach:

I consider my preaching to be Life-Centered. Intellectual concepts are drawn from philosophy, theology, psychology and other disciplines of study. I do not present lectures on these subjects. I do use these areas of knowledge to illuminate and illustrate my particular responses and reactions to life problems of human existence as well as the joys. I believe such preaching creates a dual response. The initial response is to my particular answers and analysis. A more profound response is created by providing individuals with a few concrete answers which they can accept or reject. Namely, they can then work out their own position or faith. I am personally more excited when an individual states something I said started him thinking about an issue or increased his awareness of his own feelings and ideas than when I hear another repeat what I have said as if it were the truth.

A friend noted, “Lanier will be remembered for his gift of engaging others in opening their spirits to know and celebrate the depth of human experience in each moment.”

Rev. Clance is survived by his life partners, who have both cared for him for the last 40 years, Pauline Rose and Nancy Zumoff.

A memorial service was planned for Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at the First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta, 470 Candler Park Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta.

Notes of condolence may be sent to Pauline Rose Clance and Nancy Zumoff at 1293 Fairview Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306.