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.

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 A. Hobart

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

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

ManuelHolland

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

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.

Notes of condolences can be written here.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.

The Rev. Diana Marie Heath

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.

A more complete obituary will follow.

John A. “Jack” Hayes

Jack Hayes

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.

The Rev. Kenneth “Ken” Helms

The Rev. Kenneth “Ken” Helms died on December 12, 2020 at the age of 84.

Ken is survived by his wife of 49 years, Anne Adams Helms. He is also survived by three sons, Jeffrey Brian Helms, Nathan Brent Helms, and Drew Brandon Helms; three step-daughters, Virginia Mayhew, Alison Jaques, and Sylvia Desin; six grandchildren and four step grandchildren, and many friends who loved and enjoyed spending time with him. He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Monterey Bay Area or Black Lives Matter. UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolences may be sent to Anne Helms, 25350 Camino de Chamisal, Salinas, CA. 93908-8926.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.

The Rev. Linda M. Hansen

The Rev. Linda M. Hansen died on October 30, 2020 at the age of 71.

Linda is survived by her sister Marian Hansen, and loving friends and family members.

In keeping with Linda’s wishes, no memorial service is planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County (WI), the Zilber Family Hospice, or a charity of your choice. UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolences may be sent to Marian Hansen, 12585 W. Beloit Rd., New Berlin, WI, 53151.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.

The Rev. Dr.  Nancy Holden

The Rev. Dr.  Nancy Holden died on August 1, 2020, at the age of 85.

Nancy is survived by her children Willie, Reuben, and Lorraine; her grandchildren Emily, Brian, Martha, Henry, Sophia, Dawn, Manny, Ben, and Solomon; and her beloved cats Howie, Teddy, and Penelope. She was preceded in death by her husband Doug, and her son Henry.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s own choosing or to Buen Vecino, to the Chalice UU congregation, or to the Southern Poverty Law Center. UURMaPA  will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund, in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

A memorial service will be held live via Zoom on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 2 pm Pacific Time by Chalice Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Conejo Valley, CA.

Notes of condolences may be sent to Willie Lubka, 2178 La Granada Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.

A more complete obituary will follow.