The Rev. Doddie L. Stone died on September 26, 2024, at the age of 89 (1935-2024). Doddie is survived by her sons Donald Stone and Craig Stone, daughter Cindy Gatioan, as well as her nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the First UU Congregation of Terre Haute, 1875 S Fruitridge Ave, Terre Haute IN 47803.
Notes of condolences may be sent to Sylvia Oster, 1101 E. Royse Dr., Terre Haute, IN 47802.
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. Robert “Bob” C. Sallies died on August 6, 2024, at the age of 92 (1931-2024).
Bob is survived by his wife (of 71 years) Margie Garrison Sallies, daughter E. Elizabeth Sallies, sister-in-law JoAnn Bolt Garrison, a larger number of nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, great-grand-nieces and nephews, as well as one great-great grand-niece.
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at the First Universalist Church of South Paris, 36 Pine St, South Paris ME 04281.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Universalist Church of South Paris, 36 Pine St, South Paris ME 04281. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.
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. Stanley “Stan” Robert Stefancic died on June 28, 2024, at the age of 86 (1937-2024).
Stan is survived by his wife Marianne; his son Benjamin (Sandy); grandchildren Sophie and Ryan; brother Richard (Dolly); niece Erica, and nephew Richie; as well as Marianne’s son Jai (Taraneh). He also leaves behind his former wife, Jean and her husband, Richard.
A private memorial service will be held.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s own choosing or the American Civil Liberties Union <https://action.aclu.org/give/now>.
Notes of condolences may be sent to Marianne Stefancic, 100 Thorndale Dr. Apt. 136, San Rafael CA 94903.
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. Elizabeth “Betsy” Boyd Stevens died on March 14, 2024, at the age of 91 (1932-2024).
Elizabeth Boyd Stevens
Betsy was born on November 29, 1932, in Boston MA to Elizabeth Bigelow and Robert St. Barbe Boyd. She was raised in Milton and Duxbury MA, and attended Milton Academy through elementary and high school, graduating in 1950. Her family were life-long Unitarians. Betsy led an active extracurricular life, but her prime goal was to get to college. On a part-time basis, she taught sailing and worked in a camp for children with cerebral palsy. She entered Smith College (MA) in 1950 and married in her junior year to a cadet from West Point, who was assigned to Korea after his graduation. During this time, Betsy remained in college and graduated with a major in Sociology (1954). She worked at Jordan Marsh as well as volunteered at Peter Bent Brigham.
For the next twenty years, Betsy and her husband lived in varied Army installations throughout the world. They had a son and a daughter and in 1966, returned to the United States and lived in Alexandria, VA.
After re-locating in Alexandria, Betsy got an opportunity to become active in a parish. From 1971 to 1983, she served the Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church, Alexandria VA first as the 2nd grade teacher, then the interim DRE, and then the DRE. She restructured the church’s youth programs, put Unitarian Universalism in the curriculum, and organized bi-yearly trips to the Boston area to teach the youth about their religious heritage. She served the Mt. Vernon church for thirteen years as a strong leader in the intergenerational forums. In 1981, she completed the UU Independent Study Program.
Rev. Stevens was ordained to the ministry of religious education by the First Church and Parish in Dedham MA on February 24, 1985, where she served as a Minister of Religious Education from 1984 to 2003. She helped plan and carry out a well-balanced RE program that enriched the church. The church became more vibrant and caring with a fine RE program. Rev. Stevens equally paid attention to the people of the church, their growth in RE skills, and their growth as individuals in the community. She was an excellent group leader in adult and youth education programs, facilitating discussion, exercising initiative, and interacting effectively.
She retired from her active ministry in the parish in 2003. That year, Meadville Lombard Theological School honored her with a Doctor of Divinity, and in 2004 the First Church and Parish in Dedham honored her as their minister emerita.
Rev. Dr. Stevens was active on the denominational level serving as a designated legal resident for LREDA, MRP advisor, and MRE Focus Group convener. Furthermore, she provided her services to the Continental Women and Religion Committee, the Council on Church/Staff Finances, Good Offices for LREDA and UUMA, the District Minister Advisory Committee, the District Safe Congregation Outreach Team, the UU Historical Society board, and many more. Additionally, she served the Ballou Channing District, Brockton MA from 2001 to 2003.
Rev. Stevens received the Larry E. Axel Award, Modified Residence Program, Meadville Lombard Theological School (1977); and the Angus H. Maclean Award for Excellence in Religious Education, UUA (2001).
In Duxbury, Betsy served as chairperson of the Water Activities Committee for their 350th Anniversary celebration. She was a volunteer for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School “Women Under Way” program, a trustee of the Duxbury Cemetery, and a board member at the Council of Aging. In 2013, she was awarded the Duxbury Community Volunteer Award.
Betsy’s passion was sailing. She won her first season trophy in 1946 at the age of 14. She enjoyed sailboat racing in Duxbury Bay for many summers and received many South Shore trophies through the years. In 1979 and 1981, she won the Massachusetts Bay Women’s Championship.
Betsy is survived by her husband Frederick A. Stevens, Jr., and her two children: Wyatt Stevens (Giselle) and Elizabeth (Lisa) Giannechini (Tony). She also leaves her two granddaughters, Alice Stevens and Libby Giannechini; her sister, Alexandra (Sandy) B. Earle, and one great-grandson.
A memorial service was held on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the First Parish Church UU, 842 Tremont St.(Rte. 3A), Duxbury MA 02331.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Duxbury Bay Maritime School, 457 Washington St, Duxbury MA 02332. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.
Barry William Strejcek, 90, “The Mayor of Oakmont,” died peacefully at home on Apr. 29, 2023, from heart disease and dementia. He was born Oct. 28, 1932, to Doris and William Strejcek and grew up in the Cleveland area. He attended Miami University of Ohio, then served in the Army in Germany during the Korean conflict. He returned to earn a BA in political science and a master’s in labor economics, both from Ohio State.
Barry married his first wife, Mary Jo McPherson, in 1959. They lived in Ohio, Missouri, New Jersey, and Washington DC. Children Kier (1960), Nathan (1962), and Mardi (1969) were born to Barry and Jody. Their marriage ended in divorce. Barry’s working life centered on civil rights and the common good. He was active in the Democratic Socialists of America, founded by Michael Harrington. His career was with the National Urban League, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Barry appreciated that the federal government gave him the opportunity to work towards justice and equality.
In 1976, Barry met Yvonne Schumacher at EEOC; they married in 1980. Their son Brendan was born in 1981. When Barry retired in 1989, they moved to Nevada City, CA, where they were leaders of Sierra Foothills Unitarian Universalists in Auburn. They were among the founders and charter members of the UU Community of the Mountains in Grass Valley CA. Barry and Yvonne moved to Berkeley in 2004 for her completion of an M.Div. degree at Starr King, and then to Harrisburg PA; Boston MA; and Brighton MI, following the arc of her parish ministry.
They retired to Rossmoor senior community in Walnut Creek CA in 2015. There Barry’s friendliness earned him the moniker, “Mayor of Oakmont,” during COVID in 2020, as he would wave to every car driving by while walking his dog Sammy daily, often wearing his dog mask. His passing is deeply grieved, by his wife of 43 years, Yvonne; his children Kier (Cathleen) of Naperville IL, Nathan (Stacey Moye) of Washington DC; Mardi (Alberto Muciño) of Arlington VA, and Brendan (Chenbo Zhong) of Toronto ONT, Canada; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by great-granddaughter Violet Joan.
A memorial celebration was held Aug. 15 at the Dollar Clubhouse at Rossmoor.
The Rev. Marjorie “Midge” Skwire died on March 21, 2023, at the age of 86 (1936-2023).
Midge is survived by her husband, David Skwire, son, Daniel Skwire (Denise M. Fogg), daughters: Sarah Skwire and Jessica Routhier (Ray Routhier), brothers Richard (Rosemary) and David and grandchildren Teddy, Abigail, Luke, Dinah, and Penelope.
A memorial service is planned for 2 pm on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church, 20401 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River, OH 44116.
UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry. Other memorial gifts may be made to:
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. Dr. Robert “Bob” E. Senghas died on June 26, 2022, at the age of 94.
Bob is survived by his three sons: in Florida, Frederick Christian Senghas; in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, Edward Caiger Senghas and his wife Maureen Cotter; and in Vermont, Stuart Bailey Senghas and his wife Alicia Wein Senghas. He is also survived by Frederick’s children Matthew Senghas and Sarah Hall and Sarah’s husband Brian Hall and their daughter Emma; by Stuart’s children Nathan, Lydia, and Isaiah; and by many nieces and nephews and their children. In addition, he is survived by an identical twin brother, the Rev. Richard E. Senghas of Scarborough, Maine.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to one’s favorite charity. UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.
Notes of condolences can be sent to Stuart Senghas, PO Box 36, Wolcott, VT 05680.
The Rev. Kenneth “Ken” W. Sawyer died on April 24, 2022, at the age of 77.
Ken is survived by his wife, Carol Sawyer, and by daughters, Amy Washek and Rebecca Howard.
A memorial service centered on Ken’s family, friends, and the First Parish in Wayland congregation will be held on May 21. A celebration of Ken’s ministry and service to Unitarian Universalism will be held later this fall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the First Parish in Wayland, Ken Sawyer Unrestricted Endowment, P.O. Box 397, Wayland, MA 01778 or to the UU Urban Ministry, Attn. Annie Stubbs, 10 Putnam Street, Roxbury, MA 10019. UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.
Notes of condolences can be sent to Carol Sawyer, 16 Orchard Lane, Wayland, MA 01778.
A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.
The Rev. Dr. Judith “Judy” M. Smith-Valley died on November 16, 2021, at the age of 78.
Judy is survived by her children: son, Glenn Valley and his wife Heidi, of Bahama, NC; daughter, Libby Valley Cirillo and her husband Tony, of North Kingstown, RI; daughter, Susan Woodilla and her husband, Tad of Hermon, ME; son, Richard Smith and his wife, Barbara Dill of Norwood, NJ; grandchildren – Laura (Jon) Conway, Alison Valley, Amanda, Connor, Matthew, and Trevor Cirillo, Katie and Emily Woodilla, Dillon, Chelsea, and Aiden Smith; and great granddaughter Jackie; sister, Charlea Coterel of O’Fallon, Missouri; plus many nieces, nephews, friends and family who filled her heart with joy. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husbands, Terry Valley (1978) and Paul Smith-Valley (2017).
Catherine M. Sterling died on October 25, 2021 at the age of 92. She was the widow of the Rev. Robert W. Sterling.
Catherine is survived by her sister, Margaret Mays of Chapel Hill, NC; son, David Sterling, and his wife, Karen, of Agawam, MA; son, Craig Sterling, of Wilder, VT; daughter, Barbara Sterling, of Wilder, VT; grandson, Alexander Sterling, of Leominster, MA; and nephew, David Le Shane, of Colorado Springs, CO.
No services are planned. Her family will hold a private ceremony in Danville, VT.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Catherine’s name to the charity of your choice. UURMaPA will contribute $50 to an appropriate charity in her memory.
Notes of condolence may be sent to her daughter, Barbara, in care of Catherine’s email.
A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.
