Category: Obituary: T

The Rev. Patricia “Tricia” V.M. Tummino died on September 20, 2024, at the age of 75 (1949-2024).

Tricia is survived by her brother Peter; her husband Lawrence; her children Annie, Ben, and Joe; and her grandchildren Enzo, Lucia, and Asa.

A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Middleboro, 25 S. Main St, Middleborough MA 02346. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s own choosing. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolence may be written here.

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. 

David Turner died peacefully on May 31, 2024, while in palliative care at the Charlotte County Hospital in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada. This was after more than 20 years living valiantly with Parkinson’s. He was born Feb. 10, 1941, in Croydon, UK, to parents George John Turner of Leicester Sussex and Hilda Burgess of Kent, UK. He was married to the Rev. Carole Martignacco.

David joined the Royal Marines as a bugle boy at the age of 15; he was a fitness trainer and served in active duty in Borneo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Malta, and Northern Ireland. In 1976 he immigrated to Canada and took a position as Cadet Commander at Bishop’s College School in Sherbrooke Quebec where he also served as Athletic Director, and Houseparent. He retired in 2005 as Deputy Headmaster.

He is the recipient of several accolades, medals, and awards, notably the Queen’s Jubilee Award in 2002. In 2019 David and Carole moved from North Hatley to the coastal town of St. Andrews in New Brunswick.

David is survived by his loving wife Carole; sons Clifford (Suzanna), Darren, daughter-in-law Shelley Hughes; previous wife Patricia; and stepchildren Michael and Diana Henderson. David is mourned also by stepdaughters Maria, Anna, Lisa and Juliana Martignacco; his brother Malcolm Horsley and sister Wendy Shaw-Kew, and 8 grandchildren. Major Turner is fondly remembered by numerous past students and colleagues from his nearly 30 years at Bishop’s College School, as well as many friends in the Quebec Eastern Townships and in St. Andrews NB.

A memorial was held in St. Andrews on August 25. A second service will be held 1 pm EDT, September 28 at Bishop’s College School in Sherbrooke Quebec. The family appreciates the medical team at Charlotte County Hospital for their excellent care in his last days, and all the kind wishes of family, friends and this supportive maritime community.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the David Turner Scholarship at Bishop’s College School to honour and continue Major Turner’s legacy of steadfast and selfless leadership.

The Board of the UU Retired Ministers and Partners Association offers our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Todd J. Taylor, who died on February 15, 2023, at the age of 93 (1929-2023).

Todd is survived by his wife, Caroline Fenderson, of Palm Harbor, FL, a retired Unitarian Universalist Minister of Religious Education.  He is also survived by his three children, Wannie Lee (Sonny, d. 2022), Todd Eliot (Allison), and Jenai Ann (Alan), their mother, Rev. Carol Ann (Marine) Taylor, and two grandchildren, Katie Taylor, and Will Taylor.  He also leaves three stepdaughters, Jenifer Valingo, Georgia Atkinson, and Michele Marcon, and their partners and children. He was preceded in death by his parents, five siblings: Wannie, George, Richard, Natalie, and Frederick: and his wife of forty years, Carolyn Ford Taylor (d. 2014). 

Todd will be interred with Carolyn in the Memorial Wall and Cinerarium at First Unitarian Church, Albuquerque, NM. The family is planning a private service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials, and donations can be sent to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, www.uusc.org. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Caroline Fenderson, 29 Freshwater Drive, Palm Harbor, FL 34684.

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. Sue M. Turner died on October 31, 2022, at the age of 82.

Sue was born on May 18, 1940, in Jamestown, NY to Louis L. Turner and Ruby Turner. She was the second of three sisters. Her childhood experience included walking in the woods, planting trees with the Girls Scouts, and picking wild strawberries in the early morning with her mom. She attended the American Baptist church with her parents as a child and then a Methodist church as a teenager.

Sue received her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in 1962 following which she taught Junior High School Home Economics until 1966. She then dedicated herself full-time as a homemaker and as a mother of her three daughters. During this time, she found the Jefferson Unitarian Church in Golden, CO, and involved herself in the religious education program, conducting children’s worship, leading singing, and social action. She also continued her graduate degree and earned her Master of Education from Antioch College, OH (1975). Following graduation, Sue worked as an instructor of political science at the Community College of Denver, CO.

Soon after, she began to search for religious value and spiritual strength. Her involvement in the life of the Jefferson Church allowed her to begin a formal process of recognizing her emerging theology. She developed a deep abiding interest and passion for the Unitarian movement, served a term as President, and was a member of their Ministerial Search Committee. She also got involved with the churches in the district and realized that serving Unitarian Universalism as a professional leader would be the best opportunity to live her life. With this call, she entered the Iliff School of Theology, CO, and earned her Master of Divinity in 1983.

Rev. Turner was ordained by her home congregation, the Jefferson Unitarian Church in CO, on December 4, 1983, where she served as minister-at-large from 1983 to 1987. Unique about her ministry at the Jefferson congregation was its project orientation. Rev. Turner associated herself with the Foundation for Urban and Neighborhood Development, a non-profit organization with a history of structural social change and the mitigation of social impacts in the western United States and Pacific Basin. Her ministry dealt with the creation of structural social change which enhanced personal power enabling people to discover their options and strengths through the active process of dealing with their vulnerability. In addition to the benefits of projects of this at-large ministry, Rev. Turner supported the church’s work by creating a network of people working together to support Unitarian and Universalist principles and purpose in the non-UU community.

Following Jefferson Unitarian Church, Rev. Turner served as a district executive for the Mountain Desert District, Boulder, CO (1987-1994), and a district consultant for the Ohio-Meadville District, Akron, OH (1994-1998). She was creative, collaborative, and a contributor to open and constructive communication developing healthy functioning Districts.

After eleven years in denominational district work, Rev. Turner served as an interim minister to the following congregations: Woodinville UU Church, WA (1998-1999); Saltwater UU Church, WA (1999-2000); the UU Church of the Lehigh Valley, PA (2000-2002); the UU Congregation at Willamette Falls, OR (2002-2003); and the UU Congregation of Rockville, MD (2003-2005). Her interim works were a complementarity of congregational goals and organizational structures. She brought into her ministry highly developed skills in organizational development. Subsequently, Rev. Turner provided her interim services to the First UU Church of Rochester, MN (2005-2006); the UU Church of Cheyenne, WY (2006-2007); and the UU Metro Atlanta North Congregation, Roswell, GA (2008-2009), before her retirement on August 1, 2009.

Rev. Turner’s ministry was aimed at raising the dignity of people in communities which were made vulnerable by societal change. Her holistic, inclusive approach to life was healing and energizing to all those who experienced her. She could identify the spiritual dimensions of the grittiest and most political dimensions of social service and social justice work.

She was deeply involved denominationally, participating at the Mountain Desert District (MDD) Leadership Weekend, and serving as Vice President of the district UUMA chapter. She supported the UU Women’s Federation and the UU Metro Denver Urban Coalition, as well as MDD efforts.

In her spare time, Sue loved tending the garden, spending time with her family and friends, and being involved in her community. She was a frequent visitor to the saltwater pool at the Great Sand Dunes. She was a gifted musician and a singer.

Sue is survived by her two daughters, Teresa Kent Zink (Michael) and Mary Kent (Quince Rickard); five grandchildren, Skyler Clark, Henry Zink, Lilly Clark, Anna Zink, and Turner Rickard; and her two sisters, Anne Huffman, and Sally Furman. She was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Jane Kent Clark.

A celebration of life will be held on July 1, 2023, at the Jefferson Unitarian Church in Golden, CO. (Anyone interested in attending can contact Teresa Kent Zink at teresa.zink@gmail.com).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the World Wildlife Fund, or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Teresa Zink, 115 Biddle Rd., Paoli, PA 19301 or emailed to this address: teresa.zink@gmail.com.

The Rev. Kathryn “Kathie” Davis Thomas died on October 14, 2022, at the age of 78.

Kathie was born on January 3, 1944, in Wilmington DE to William (Bill) and Grace. She was the middle of three girls. The First Unitarian Church of Wilmington was the center of her family’s social life. Kathie grew up participating in the social action projects of the church, played her flute at services on Sundays, and attended Unitarian events at Rowe Camp, Star Island, and youth conferences. She often spoke at Youth Sundays.

Kathie was a passionate learner. She did well in school and was always given responsibilities, such as teaching classes for younger grades. In 1965, she graduated from Mount Holyoke College, MA with her Bachelor of Arts in Zoology following which she received her Master of Arts in Teaching (Biology,1966) from Johns Hopkins University, MD. After completing her master’s degree, she worked as a high school biology teacher for three years, as a parenting instructor for 15 years, and then as a classroom management instructor for four years. 

In 1987, she decided to become Director of Religious Education at the First Unitarian Church of Wilmington. Kathie had done intense work at the church over the years and wanted to deepen her spiritual journey. The lifetime of support, loving guidance, and experiences in that church led her to the decision to become an ordained minister. Following this call, she earned her Master of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary, PA in 1996.

She served the Wilmington church as a DRE for six years and then became their student minister, still holding the RE portfolio and adding preaching, counseling, and leadership of special projects. She was involved in policy discussions and other significant decisions in the life of the congregation.

Rev. Thomas was ordained on April 22, 1996, by the church in which she grew up, First Unitarian Society of Wilmington, DE. She served her first ordained ministry at the UU Fellowship of Harford County, Churchville MD (1996–1998). She worked to strengthen the Committee on Ministry and put clear policies in place. During her tenure, the church grew from 100 adult members and 70 children/youth to 167 adult members and 100 children/youth.

From 1998 to 1999, Rev. Thomas served the Cedar Lane UU Church, Bethesda MD as an interim associate minister. At Cedar Lane, she supervised and trained the pastoral associates, provided ministerial pastoral care, and instituted a covenanting process for the ministers, the Board, and the committees.

At the Main Line Unitarian Church, Devon PA (1999–2001), Rev. Thomas oversaw the Lifespan Religious Education program and worked to empower, train, and support the committees and teachers. Likewise, during her ministry at the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield NJ (2001–2003), she helped with the structural changes to the organization of committees and provided insights on needed changes. She shared her knowledge of managing conflict with the congregation and helped develop healthy responses to conflict and crises. She also contributed significantly to the Adult RE program, RE committee, music program, and other program areas for members of all ages. The congregation grew in all aspects of church life.

Rev. Thomas’ talent, creativity, energy, and compassion helped congregations during periods of major transition. She was exceptional in her conflict management skills and elevated the congregations to a level of harmony and growth. She provided good sermons; her worship services were thematically diverse with music integrated effectively, a good balance between ritual and intellect, and emphasized meditation. Her deep sense of religious connection inspired children, youth, and adults.

Rev. Thomas was active in the denomination serving on the board of Murray Grove Camp and Conference Center (NJ). She was Vice President of the UUMA-PK Minister’s Chapter (2000–2001).

In addition to her ministry and denominational work, she served the community as President of the Cherrington Civic Association, DE (1986–1990) and as a Program Chair of the Delaware Valley Religious Educators (1988–1994). She wrote and edited “A Prayer Book” a collection of prayers for children and was a contributor to REACH (Religious Education Clearing House). 

In her leisure time, Kathie enjoyed music (playing flute, singing, and listening), nature and biology, walking, reading, swimming, beachcombing, sailing, sewing and needlework, travel, theatre, and movies. Her daughter Karin shared, “My mother was always surrounded by music and her love of telling children?s stories.”

Kathie is survived by her daughters, Dr. Karin E. Thomas, and Dr. Kristin “Kris” T. Nagy; husband, Daniel; granddaughter, Elise; sister, Margaret D. Porter and husband James Porter; niece, Susan Smith; and nephew Richard Strand, Jr.; grand-nieces; grand-nephews; and a grand-grand-nephew. She was preceded in death by her sister, Virginia Davis Strand.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the First Unitarian Church of Wilmington, 730 Halstead Road, Wilmington DE 19803.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the First Unitarian Church of Wilmington with “In Memory of Rev. Kathryn D. Thomas” in the memo. Contributions will go to the children and youth religious education program at the church. Condolence cards may be sent to Schoenberg Memorial Chapel, 519 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington DE 19809.