The Rev. Carl Arthur Hover died on August 15, 2024, at the age of 88 (1936-2024).
Arthur is survived by his wife, Ellen Dionna; his two children: Carla Hover and Carl Hover; and five step-children: Jonathan Wolf, Carol Wolf, Pamela Wolf MacMahon, Adam Wolf, and Franklin Wolf. He was preceded in death by his two sons: Kenneth Arthur and Carson Monroe.
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the UU Congregation of York, 925 S George St, York PA 17403.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UU Congregation of York PA, or the Unitarian Universalist Society for Ministerial Relief, c/o Rev. Susan Suchocki Brown, 80 Mill Glen Rd., Winchendon, MA 01475.
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.
The Rev. Dr. James ‘Peter’ Hughes died on April 17, 2024, at the age of 71.
Peter was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on September 29, 1952, to Arthur A. Hughes and Joanne Little Hughes. He was the eldest of seven siblings and attended churches of the Anglican religion in childhood. He went to various grade and elementary schools in multiple cities in Canada, ultimately graduating from Macdonald High School in St. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec. In 1973, Peter received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge MA. In the same year, he married Lynn Gordon, a fellow student at M.I.T. He then worked as a computer programmer for eight years before following his call to ministry.
In his late twenties, Peter began to explore the spiritual and intellectual horizons to find an institutional home. He felt that there was a need for a religion that could bring together ancient wisdom and modern knowledge; one that would respect people’s varying strengths, needs, and dispositions in a true religious pluralism. He became involved as a layperson in the UU Society of Stamford, CT from 1980 to 1982, immersing himself in the history and culture of Unitarianism and Universalism. He began to see the church in a more critical light. He wanted to develop plans for helping liberal religion explore new areas, and help religious liberals more fully live their religious principles. This vision kindled his thoughts of ministry. In 1984, he earned his Master of Arts in Divinity from the University of Chicago IL, following which he received his Doctor of Ministry from Meadville Lombard Theological School in 1986.
Rev. Dr. Hughes was ordained by the First Universalist Church, Woonsocket RI on April 26, 1987, where he served for 13 years (1986–1999). During his tenure, in addition to his pastoral duties, he was instrumental in the transcription of documents in church history and wrote a history of the period of the church’s first minister, John Boyden (1840–1869). He wrote, directed, and participated in several services that consisted of the congregation members’ dramatic performances. Rev. Hughes, along with his wife Lynn Gordon Hughes, were the founders of the First Universalist Food Pantry, and their work sustained this effort for over 10 years. In 1999, he retired from the ministry on disability, due to post-polio syndrome. In 2000, the First Universalist Church honored him as their minister emeritus.
After retirement, Rev. Dr. Hughes focused on research projects, mainly on the history of American Universalism and the Reformation roots of Unitarianism. He launched the Dictionary of UU Biography and served as its founding editor for nine years. He was a frequent contributor to the Journal of UU History and other publications. He also helped the UU Historical Society to develop a publishing program and an online discussion list. Furthermore, he was president of the Universalist Church of Rhode Island and vice-president of the UU Historical Society.
Always active in community service, Rev. Hughes was on the boards of Adopt-a-Family, Woonsocket Shelter Community Action Program, and Family Resources. He was also active in the Greater Woonsocket Clergy Association. He received the Paul Dempster Award in 1997 for contributions to community service. He was a champion for the rights of the disabled. In 2008, he was forced to crawl downstairs to a polling station in a church basement. This motivated him to take on Elections Canada where he won in a landmark Canadian Human Rights Case in 2010, Hughes v. Elections Canada. The result was nationwide changes to all Canadian polling stations to ensure accessibility for disabled voters.
In his leisure time, Peter enjoyed listening to music and collecting records (classical and film music), playing the recorder and other woodwind instruments, watching old movies, going to the opera, reading, and reading aloud. He enjoyed the challenge of arranging music for unusual combinations of instruments and was usually involved in some sort of music ensemble, often as a leader.
Peter is survived by his wife Lynn; children Paul (Caolan) and Logan (Jae); grandchildren Jane and Alice; as well as his siblings: Jan, Kate, Mary Jo, William, and Sarah Beth. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Wendy.
A memorial service was held on June 8, 2024, at the University of Toronto, Canada. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Princess Margaret Cancer Center <https://www.uhn.ca/OurHospitals/PrincessMargaret>, 610 University Ave., Toronto ON, M5G 2M9.
Notes of condolences may be sent to Lynn Hughes at lynnghughes@gmail.com or mailed to Lynn Hughes, 312-24 Wellesley St. W., Toronto ON, M4Y2X6, Canada.
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.
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. James “Jim” Alfred Hobart died on May 2, 2023, at the age of 88 (1935-2023).
Jim is survived by his wife Nan Hobart; children: Robin, Peter, and Christopher Hobert; stepchildren: Suman and Janak Paranjape; grandchildren: Ezequiel, Lucille, Sarah, Sumana, Morgan, and Connor; sister Barbara Hobart Mathews; and his former wife Rosamond Williams Hobart.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, August 25, 2023, at the First Unitarian Church of Chicago, 5650 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago IL 60637.
Memorial donations may be made to The Living Legacy Project <https://www.livinglegacypilgrimage.org/donate.html>, 1248 CarMia Way #1015, Richmond VA 23235. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.
Notes of condolence can be sent to Nan Hobart at nanhobart@gmail.com or at 5201 S Ingleside Ave, Chicago IL 60615.
A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. 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. Blaine Francis Hartford died on December 16, 2022, at the age of 91 (1931-2022).
Blaine is survived by his wife, Marie Gorman; daughters, Sally Kirby, Jennifer Hendry, and Deborah Williamson; stepbrother C. Robert Hartford; as well as five grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; spouses: Lorraine Fagerholm, Sharon Hartford, and Clarinda Hartford; brother Joshua Hartford; stepbrother Stewart Hartford; and daughter Tamara McFall Eddy.
A memorial service is being planned for the spring of 2023.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a charity of one’s own choosing. Notes of condolence can be written here. A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.
The Rev. Manuel R. Holland died on August 2, 2022, at the age of 92.
Manuel was born on May 9, 1930, in Hazleton PA to Raleigh Lee Roy Holland and Pearl Shook Holland. He spent his early childhood in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and California. When he was nineteen, he received his local preacher’s license from the Methodist church and later had a Methodist charge consisting of four small rural churches in western North Carolina. For a year and a half (1949–1951), Manuel assumed responsibility for the complete programs of these churches, preached an average of three times a Sunday, conducted funerals, marriages, and baptisms as needs arose among the parishioners, and at the same time carried a full course at college.
Subsequently, Manuel served as a Youth Counselor for six months at the Congregational Unitarian Church, Littleton MA, working with Rev. Palmer Clarke. Since then, his pulpit experience changed. Theologically, he could no longer agree with the Methodist Church; he had found a spirit of freedom, a dedication to truth, and a concern for the welfare of humankind in the Unitarian Church. He soon realized that the kind of ministry he wished to pursue would be most meaningful and successful among the Unitarians.
In 1951, Manuel left for the Army. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1954, he went to college graduating with two degrees in 1960: a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Sociology of Religion from Boston University, MA, and a Bachelor of Divinity from Tufts University, MA.
Rev. Holland was ordained by the First Parish Unitarian, Groton MA on June 17, 1956. His tenure at First Parish (1955–1960) marked increased Sunday morning service attendance and growth in the religious programs. With the new facilities of the Youth Center and the installation of a library and bookstore, excellent education programs were developed. The new youth choir was added to the worship service.
In 1960, Rev. Holland accepted a call from the First Parish in Framingham MA where he would serve until 1966. He played the most active role in the support, growth, proliferation, and maturation of the congregation. Under his leadership, a series of adult courses were offered, and the church school enrollment increased. People looked to the church for leadership in Education, Social Action, and Service.
From 1966 to 1970, Rev. Holland served as the first District Executive of the Thomas Jefferson District of the Unitarian Universalist Association. These years were formative in establishing the identity and functional character of the district of 47 churches and fellowships. His responsibilities included extension ministry, ministerial settlements, religious education, fundraising, communication media liaison, pulpit supply, and many others.
Thereafter, Rev. Holland served the UU Church of Greensboro, Jamestown NC (1971–1973); the UU Fellowship of Winston-Salem NC (1973–1974); and the UU Congregation of the Lowcountry, SC (1981–1986). His ministry and endeavor made churches a dynamic force in the community, as he was passionate about social justice and strove to uplift the oppressed, impoverished, and voiceless. He helped strengthen the moral and spiritual needs of the members of the parish and community. His genuine and dynamic concern for the welfare and well-being of his fellow human beings made him one of the truly outstanding ministers.
In 1986, the Lowcountry congregation honored Rev. Holland as their minister emeritus. His last message to the congregation and the community asked that we love one another, for, in the end that is all we have.
Rev. Holland’s integrity, industry, loyalty, devotion, and dedication to the UU movement were of the highest caliber. He was the winner of the Clarence R. Skinner award (1958) for the best sermon that most expressed the social implications of Universalist principles. Furthermore, Rev. Holland took an active role in the Central Massachusetts District of UU Churches serving as Vice President and Chairman of Denominational Affairs. He was a member of the UU Committee on Camps and Conferences and chaired the UUA Committee on Lay Leadership.
He also served on the board of the Church of the Larger Fellowship (1958–1962); was Chairman of the Star Island Religious Education Institute (1961) and Southern N.E. Social Relations Committee (1961–1962). From 1962 to 1965, he provided his services as Vice President of the Central Massachusetts District, and as Chairman of the Southeast UU Summer Institute in 1968.
In Framingham MA, Manuel served as Vice President of the Framingham Ministers Association, as a founding member and Director of the Framingham Fair Housing Practices Committee, and as a member of the Framingham Chapter. He was an executive committee member of the Framingham-Ashland United Fund (1962–1966).
He had a broad range of interests, some of which included woodworking, biking, camping, and graphic arts. He also had several of his works published including, “If We Had Given a Damn” (Universalist Leader, Sept. 1959) and the UUA Pamphlet, “Salvation From What?”
Manuel is survived by his stepson David Lowe; his granddaughter, Jessica Lowe; and his three children from a previous marriage: Charles Holland, Elizabeth Holland, and Robert Holland. He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Olive Holland.
A memorial service was held on Sunday, August 7, 2022, at the UU Congregation of the Lowcountry, 110 Malphrus Rd, Bluffton, SC 29910. Memorial donations can be made to The International Rescue Committee, P.O. Box 6068, Albert Lea, MN 56007-9847, or Feeding America. Notes of condolences can be sent HERE.
The Rev. Ronald “Ron” A. Hersom died on April 22, 2022, at the age of 71.
Ron is survived by his daughter, Tamara Young of Iowa; his brother, Eugene F. Hersom, Jr.; his nephew, Eugene F. “Fred” Hersom III; and a grandniece of Maine.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 29, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville, 7405 Arlington Expressway, Jacksonville, FL 32211. All are welcome. The service will be steamed on Zoom.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to any agency supporting people who have fled the violence in Ukraine or to the UUSC‘s Emergency Response Fund. UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.
The Rev. Diana Marie Heath died on September 7, 2021, at the age of 79.
Diana is survived by her sisters: Georgia Heath Linam, Cheri Heath Fuller, and Marilyn Heath Morgan; her brother: George F. Heath Jr.; her daughters: Judith Tiller Meine, Wynne Tiller Terlizzi, Anne-Marie Niemeck Miller, Jennifer Diane Niemeck, and their spouses; her grandchildren: James Tiller, Clint Meine, Matthew Meine, Domenico Terlizzi, Elona Terlizzi, Giacomo Terlizzi, Madison Miller, Ryan Miller, William Miller, Sara Natasha Luz, and Darius Georgaras; and great granddaughter: Amelia Marie Tiller.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at the First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Avenue, Dallas, TX 75205. (RSVP is required due to limited attendance and COVID protocols; kindly RSVP to her daughter Anne-Marie Miller at 281-788-7545 by October 1st.)
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Genesis Women’s Shelter. UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.
Notes of condolences can be sent to Judy Meine, 1804 Tartan Drive, Carrollton, TX 75006.
John A. Hayes, age 79, spouse of the Reverend Susan LaMar, died at home 13 January 2021, after living with Myeloma for over ten years. Jack was born in Milford Massachusetts, attended Hopedale public schools, graduating from the high school in 1959.
Even before graduation, however, he had begun working to help support his family, as his mother’s health declined. In 1960 he began in the stock room of Worcester County Electric (later Massachusetts Electric.) He rose through several positions there, becoming Union Steward and a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Electric Credit Union. He also served as a Reserve Police Officer and as a volunteer member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
In 1973 Jack was elected to the Hopedale Board of Selectmen, and after successive re-elections became the town’s Administrator in 1983. He left that position and moved to Millbury several years later. In 1994 he became Chief Security Supervisor at Centrum, a public arena and convention center in Worcester, MA. Jack retired from that position in 2002 to follow Susan as her career developed. That led them to California and then to Ellicott City, Maryland. In 2016 they returned to Massachusetts and settled in Uxbridge.
Jack was a model railroader, finishing his most recent layout in 2019, despite his illness. He followed politics closely and to the end read the Washington Post daily, particularly his favorite columnists.
He is survived by Susan; his daughter Suzanne Hayes Lesch, her husband Will Lesch and their two children; his sisters Anne, wife of John Hogarth of Hopedale MA, and Barbara Sullivan of Medfield MA; several nieces and nephews and cousins; and his former wife, Marge Jensen of Braintree Vermont.
There will be no public memorial service. Jack’s family requests that memorial gifts be directed to your local food bank.
