Category: Obituary: G

Judith Patterson Gilbert, 64, the wife of the Rev. John Gilbert, died April 2, 2010 in hospice care in Huntersville, NC after an eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer. She earned a degree in computer sciences from University of North Carolina, Charlotte. She was an MCSP (Microsoft Certified Support Professional). She was also an ardent Democrat. She was committed to CASA. She will be remembered as a founder and principal of High Tech Computing, Inc. The company, which was one of her passions, provides support for Microsoft Office products and exchange servers. Judith is survived by her husband and three sons: Houston, Toby, and Christopher Patterson, two daughters-in-law and two granddaughters.

Those who knew her remember her lovely ways and support. Notes of remembrance may go to her sister: Lynn Sebbard, 226 Norwich Ct., Madison, NJ, 07940.

Gertrud “Trudi” Linsenmair Gelsey, wife of The Rev. Rudolf  “Rudi” Gelsey, died March 28, 2003. The Gelseys were members of the Williamsburg, VA church at the time of her death. They served churches in Philadelphia, PA; Mt. Kisco, NY; Detroit, MI; Niagara Falls, NY; and Blacksburg, VA.

The Rev. Dr. Diether Gehrmann, 77, died August 23, 2006. He served at Frei-religiose Gemeinde, Jugend, Germany and First Unitarian Society of Rockland County, NY. Dick Boeke writes: “Diether was a German born UU Minister. In 1969, he became the first full time General Secretary of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF). As major new religious groups such as the Rissho Kosei Kai in Japan joined, Diether established a new IARF office in Frankfurt, Germany. Lucy Meier of Holland worked with him to create an effective IARF Social Service network. The IARF Commissions brought a world dialogue to IARF Congresses. Diether’s dedication helped make the IARF a leading International Interfaith Organization” Diether is survived by his wife Dorothee Gehrmann, and his four children The Rev. Ronald, Rainer, Derek and the Rev. Axel Gehrmann.

Isabel A. Gehr, 99, the widow of the Rev. Harmon M. Gehr, died October 7, 2013. The Gehrs served the Throop UU Church in Pasadena, CA for 19 years.

Her daughter, Julia Nelson, reflected on her mother’s sense of adventure. “She was fearless, whether it was speaking out on an issue, camping alone or trying a new recipe. She passed on to her children the idea that they could do anything they set out to do.”

Isabel spent the end of her life in Portland, Oregon with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had a constant stream of company.  Julia said, “She didn’t have a single meal alone once she was there. She knew she was not going to last ‘til her 100th birthday. And she also knew that she’d not see all of her beloved possessions again and she just let it go, so she could relax and enjoy the family and the love surrounding her. She said goodbye to us all and told us not to worry about her, but also to remember her when she was young and vibrant and strong, not old and infirm. She remained alert and cheerful until she took her last breath.”

Julia recalled that Isabel told her family many times that when she and her husband were camping in Canyon de Chelley in Chinle, AZ, she had a vision of a large white bear who told her that everything would be all right. She kept a small plush polar bear with her all the time she was in Portland. Julia said, “The bear is with her now, next to her blue urn. At our Christmas gathering we will share memories, with all of us present. In the spring her ashes will be scattered on her son Elliott’s land in Eugene, near her husband and daughter, as she requested.”

She continued, “Thanks to everyone who admired, respected and loved her. She was a strong and unique person and we all feel lucky to have had her around for almost 100 years!”

There was a memorial service to celebrate her life on Nov. 23 at Throop UU Church, in Pasadena. Notes of condolence may go to her daughter: Julia Nelson, 85710 Doane Rd., Eugene, OR 97402.

Averill Virginia Fox Gay, 90, wife of the Rev. Richard R. Gay, died quietly Jan. 24, 2011, at Providence Palliative Care in Anchorage. A native of Cornwall, PA, she was a graduate of Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA. There she met and married Richard on Christmas day, 1943. She held various teaching positions in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Then the family relocated to Alaska, where her husband served as minister, professor and administrator at Alaska Methodist University. Wherever they lived, Averill played organ, directed choirs and taught piano. In Anchorage, she was organist and choir director at Turnagain Methodist Church, then co-organist at First Presbyterian Church for 17 years. Her beautiful smile and gracious personality made her many friends, and her husband of 67 years was her greatest fan. Her family wrote: “These sentiments are most apt: Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband trusts her. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for she looks well to the ways of her household. Her children rise up and call her blessed! And her name is Averill.” In addition to her husband, she is survived by daughters Judith, Patricia, Sherry, Jerilee and their husbands; and her son, Richard III, as well as are 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother.

Neil Wayne Gerdes was born in Moline, Illinois, on 19 October 1943 to Della Bennett Ferguson Gerdes and John Edward Gerdes. He earned a B.A. from the University of Illinois, an S.T.B from Harvard, masters degrees from both Columbia University (NY) and University of Chicago, and a D.Min. from the University of St. Mary of the Lake (Mundelein IL).

The focus of Neil’s ministry was his 40-year tenure as theological educator and librarian at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. The Rev’d Dr. Lee Barker, Meadville president, described Neil as “…a wonderful mentor to students, a lover of books and information, … an erudite conversationalist, a man of very goofy humor, and a champion for liberal theological education… The school has lost one of its giants.”

Shortly after Neil’s death, tributes poured in. Several Meadville alums praised the generosity of his personal presence, calling him “the soul of the school.” The Rev’d Jackie Ziegler recalled that Neil “led a group of Meadville Lombard seminarians interested in discovering how we could create a model of spiritual direction within the frame of Unitarian Universalism’s diverse theologies/philosophies. We were told it wasn’t possible – practical – but Neil showed us a way.”

He is survived by four sisters and two generations of nieces and nephews.

 

Carolyn Farr Gaebler, 87, wife of the Rev. Max D. Gaebler, died, Aug. 21, 2009, at her home in Madison, WI. A graduate of Western College for Women in Miami, Ohio, she pursued graduate study in government at Harvard University, where she met and married the Rev. Max D. Gaebler, who was then Unitarian minister to students at the historic First Parish in Cambridge. They served churches in Westford, MA and Davenport, IA, and from 1952-1987 Madison, WI. A committed supporter of social justice issues, she never tired of recounting her experience in the summer of 1943 as a participant in a Quaker sponsored work camp on Chicago’s then heavily segregated south side. All her life she remained an ardent advocate for social justice. She loved good music, and for a number of years was a staunch member of the Unitarian Society choir and also of the Madison Philharmonic Chorus. She is survived by her husband, five children and their families.

The Rev. Elium Gault, 85, died suddenly Nov. 16, 2007, at his home in Hazlet, NJ. A committed Unitarian Humanist, he served the Woodstock, VT, church, then the Manchester, NH, church. He was active in the Civil Rights movement, and the Anti-Vietnam War movement. Ardently pro-choice, he was an active, vocal supporter of the separation of church and state. He leaves two sons, Jim and Bert, and daughter Patti. He was very close to his daughters-in-law and grandchildren. A Memorial Service was held in the Spring at Monmouth Country Unitarian Church in Lincroft, NJ.