Barry William Strejcek

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. Robert E. Wolf

The Rev. Robert “Bob” E. Wolf died on April 23, 2023, at the age of 87 (1936-2023).

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary; children Jonathan Wolf, Carol Wolf, Pamela MacMahon, Adam Wolf, and Franklin Wolf; and stepchildren Lynn Moriarty and Patricia Ybarra, along with ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Roger.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at The First Church in Belmont, 404 Concord Ave., Belmont MA 02478.

Memorial donations may be made to The Greater Boston Food Bank. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Mary Wolf, 102 Brooksby Village Dr., Unit 118, Peabody MA 01960.

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.

Helen B. Lane

Helen B. Lane, 88, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and friend to all, passed away suddenly on April 20, 2023.

Helen was born on Feb. 13, 1935, to Virginia DeCamp Beattie and William Douglas Beattie in San Francisco CA. She attended Pomona College, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1956. She received a master’s in public health from UC Berkeley in 1960. Helen worked at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla CA, and Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston MA.

She was very active at First Parish UU in Needham MA, participating in group leadership and fundraising activities. Lately she had been active in Vesper services at the church.

Helen adored gatherings with her mother and sisters to spend time together, where they laughed, told stories, and enjoyed each other’s company. Helen was married to Harry Lee Munsinger (divorced), John Baker (widowed) and UU minister Rev. Edwin Lane (also widowed).

She was preceded in death by her son Dennis Munsinger and her sister Ciele Tewksbury. She is survived by her sisters Genia Simpson and Cynthia Astor, her sons Douglas and David Munsinger, her stepsons Michael and John Lane, seven grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held on June 10 at the First Parish in Needham.

The Rev. Emily Morse Palmer

The Rev. Emily Morse Palmer died on March 30, 2023, at the age of 93 (1929-2023).

Emily is survived by her four children: Linden Palmer Madara (Steven), Sidney M. Palmer, Page Palmer (Craig), and Grant S. Palmer (Heather); as well as twelve grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

She was given a green burial in Heartwood Preserve Conservation Cemetery, FL on April 6, 2023. A celebration of life was held at Shell Point Retirement Community, FL on April 14, 2023.

Memorial donations may be made to charity of one’s own choosing. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry. Notes of condolence can be sent to Lin Madara, 7999 Craginhall Court, Dublin OH 43017.

The Rev. Marjorie Skwire

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:

Michelle “Mickey” Worth

Michelle “Mickey” Worth, 75, died peacefully at Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital, Ellsworth, on Friday, Feb. 24, with her husband, Mark Worth, holding her hand, and surrounded by friends. Mickey was born in Newport, R.I., May 21, 1947, the daughter of Sherwood Barry and Elizabeth Johansson Barry.

She grew up in Pittsfield, Mass., and graduated from Pittsfield High School, Class of 1965. She had a B.A. from National College of Education (now National Louis University, Chicago) and an M.A. in counseling from the University of Southern Maine.

During a brief first marriage, Mickey’s daughter Kimberly Evans was born in 1965. Mickey married Mark Worth in 1979. They moved to Ellsworth in 1991, where Mark was a pastor serving the Unitarian Universalist churches in Ellsworth and Castine. Mickey was a social worker employed by Community Health and Counseling Services from 1991 until her retirement in 2016.

She loved to travel and learn about other cultures. During their 45 years together, Mickey and Mark visited Greece, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Italy, Canada and Mexico. Mickey was active in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ellsworth, and in A.A., where she made many dear friendships. She was famous for her cookies and made the best carrot cake anyone has ever eaten.

She is survived by her husband, Mark, who represents Ellsworth and Waltham in the Maine House of Representatives, her sister Sandra Barry of Waukesha, Wis., brother Dennis Barry and sister-in-law Sharon Barry, of Pittsfield, Mass., sister-in-law Carolyn Barry of Chesterfield, Va., and her grandchild Darwin MacDonald of Pittsfield, Mass. She was predeceased by her parents, her daughter Kim Evans and her brother Stephen Barry.

There will be a celebration of Michelle’s life on May 13, 2023, at 1 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ellsworth.

The Rev. Todd J. Taylor

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.

Aug 17, 2022

The Rev. Neal W. Ferris

The Board of the UU Retired Ministers and Partners Association offers our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Neal Ward Ferris, who died on February 4, 2023, at the age of 87 (1935-2023).

Neal is survived by his partner and wife of thirty years Sylvia Foster, son David and two grandchildren, daughter Tanya Ferris, and brother Norman.

A celebration of life is scheduled for 2 pm on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter, 12 Elm St, Exeter, NH 03833.

Memorial gifts may be made to:

UU Service Committee of the UUA,

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),

Union of Concerned Scientists.

UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Sylvia Foster, 24 Woodridge Road, Durham, NH 03824.

Lorraine Colpitts

Lorraine Colpitts died on January 16, 2023 at the age of 99. She is survived by by her sons and their spouses: Jon and Jeanne, David and Julie; her granddaughters and their spouses: Kate and Dustin, Megan and Luis; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, the Rev. Horace (Hank) Colpitts; and her sister, Nadine

Notes of condolence can be sent to Jon Colpitts, jon.colpitts@icloud.com. A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.