The Rev. James E. Grant

The Rev. James “Jim” E. Grant died on January 6, 2024, at the age of 88 (1935-2024).

Jim is survived by his spouse: Betty Wyatt Grant; his children: Martha Grant Fuller and James Edward Grant, Jr.; grandchildren: Elizabeth Fuller and Mikhael Fuller; three great-grandchildren; siblings: Athol Grant and Mary Carolyn Kominowski; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The celebration of life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at the First UU Church of San Diego, 4190 Front Street, San Diego CA 92103, in person and virtually. The link for the service is Celebration of Life for Rev. James E. Grant – YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYK0tEm4jYY>.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First UUChurch of San Diego <https://www.firstuusandiego.org/giving.html>.

Condolences may be sent electronically to mfullerpnp@yahoo.com or by mail
care of Martha Fuller, 4842 Hart Dr., San Diego CA 92116.

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, Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com.

The Rev. Ronald D. Marcy

The Rev. Ronald “Ron” D. Marcy died on January 4, 2024, at the age of 87 (1936-2024).

Ron is survived by his wife Judith (Klein) Marcy; his two children: Glenn Lawrence Blumberg, and Suzanne Lynn Marcy; sister Joan Allen; as well as his two nephews: Mark, and David Allen. He was preceded in death by his only grandchild, Emily Rose Blumberg.

Ron’s ashes will be laid to rest by his family this Spring in his beloved Palmer, Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County, 27 North Road, Peace Dale, RI 02879, for a Memorial Leaf in his honor for its Tree of Life; or The WARM Center, 56 Spruce Street, Westerly, RI 02891; or The Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County, 61 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879.

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, Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com.

The Rev. Patience Jane Gardner

The Rev. Patience Jane Gardner died on January 3, 2024, at the age of 77 (1946-2024). Patience is survived by her son Bryant (Kate); granddaughters: Katherine and Margaret; niece Kirsten; and nephew Chris. She was preceded in death by her brother Bryant, mother Leticia, and father Edward. A memorial service was held on January 20, 2024, at the First Parish UU Church, 842 Tremont St, Duxbury MA 02332.

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, Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com.

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. Cynthia B. Johnson

The Rev. Cynthia Barnes Johnson died on November 13, 2023, at the age of 81 (1942-2023).

Cynthia is survived by her husband Albert Johson; her children: Bruce Johnson, Tad Johnson (Beth Von Ohlen), and Ellen Willmore (Charlie Willmore); and her grandchildren: Alexander, Lucinda, Netta, and Wyatt.

A memorial service will be held in December.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Unity Hospice
<https://www.unityhospice.com/>, the UU Fellowship of Door County <https://uufdc.org/>, the Door County Land Trust
<https://www.doorcountylandtrust.org/> or your favorite Door County cause.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Al Johnson, 7455 State Highway 57, Baileys Harbor WI 54202 or amjohnsonbhwi@gmail.com.

A more complete obituary will follow.

The Rev. Dr. Carolyn Sheets Owen-Towle

The Rev. Dr. Carolyn Sheets Owen-Towle died on October 23, 2023, at the age of 88 (1935-2023).

Carolyn was born on July 27, 1935, in Upland CA to Millard O. Sheets and Mary B. Sheets. She grew up in Southern California and was the second of four children. As the daughter of a prominent California artist, she enjoyed the benefits of warm, nurturing family relationships and exposure to high moral and intellectual as well as artistic standards. She spent 15 years of her young adulthood volunteering in cultural, social, and educational organizations within the communities in which she lived.

Carolyn received her Bachelor of Arts in Art and Art History from Scripps College CA (1957), following which she worked as a library assistant, salesperson, interior designer, and research assistant for a business consultant. She married Charles Russell Chapman and embraced the roles of wife, mother, and community volunteer. She was active in Pasadena organizations such as the Junior League, Pacific Oaks Pre-School, and the Unitarian church.

After her first marriage ended, Carolyn felt a calling to the UU ministry. Her affiliation with the UU church strengthened her attributes and consolidated her beliefs. She found that she was involved daily with people not simply on committee levels but across the board in many aspects of lives: births, deaths, and all the in-between. As time went on, she shifted her volunteer energies from the larger community to the church community. This outlined a sense of direction she was seeking. She realized that she was able to utilize all aspects of her personality in the most creative and meaningful ways becoming a UU minister. She wanted to enter a church, build upon its foundations, foster spiritual, intellectual, and personal growth, and leave it stronger than when she arrived.

In 1973, Carolyn married Rev. Tom Owen-Towle. In 1974, she began her ministerial equivalency training through the UUA Independent Study Program, and in 1978, she graduated from the University of Iowa Graduate School of Religion. She received an Honorary Doctorate from Meadville Lombard Theological School in 1994.

Carolyn was ordained by the First UU Church of San Diego CA on December 3, 1978, where she served together with husband Rev. Tom Owen-Towle for 24 years (1978–2002). During her co-ministry, she worked knowledgeably and agilely with children, youth, and adults and was involved in broadening educational programs for all ages. She initiated the Jr. and Sr. High programs giving significant time to junior high youth, leading to an outstanding commitment program and revitalizing an LRY group. Both ministers worked to sponsor a welcoming congregation and modeled an environment of shared ministry. They created an accepting and nurturing community that fully connected the congregation to the UU movement. The church became one of the major association supporters financially and in lay participation in denominational affairs. She retired from her active ministry in 2002 and upon retirement, the First UU Church of San Diego honored her as their minister emerita.

Rev. Owen-Towle’s ministry strived to help people evolve. Her art was to evoke power in others with sensitivity and skill and to combine the capacity to nurture with the ability to lead. She was a trailblazing leader and an early example of women in ministry. She served the denomination as a founder and president of the UU Ministerial Sisterhood (1980–1982); as the first women president of the UUSC (1983–1985); and as vice-chair and board member of the Meadville Lombard Theological School (1987–1992). She was also the first woman president of the UUMA; a settlement consultant for the Department of Ministry and a candidate for President of the UUA (1991–1993). From 2002 to 2009, she served on the Ministerial Fellowship Committee.

In San Diego, Carolyn served on the board of Planned Parenthood, the Human Rights Advisory Committee, the United African American Ministers Action Council, and the San Diego Organizing Project. She also served on the board of the Mingei International Museum, the Ilan-Lael Foundation, and the Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation, reconnecting with her lifelong love for the arts. She was a recipient of multiple community awards, including the Dr. A. Brad Truax Award for her service to the HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ communities. At the end of her career, she was honored with a City Council Resolution recognizing her overall ministry and community contributions.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Tom; her brother, Tony Sheets; her four children, seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, their mates and partners; and extended family members.

A memorial service to celebrate Carolyn’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at the First UU Church of San Diego, 4190 Front Street, San Diego, CA:
<https://www.google.com/maps/place/4190+Front+St,+San+Diego,+CA+92103/@32.7536779,-117.1696739,760m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x80d954d64e3ca327:0x8d1b0f2486e73aa5!8m2!3d32.7536735!4d-117.1651892?hl=en>.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the charity of one’s own choosing or to the First UU Church of San Diego:
<https://www.firstuusandiego.org/donations.html>.

Notes of condolence can be written here
<https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sandiegouniontribune/name/carolyn-owen-towle-obituary?id=53457847>.

The Rev. Susan K. Weickum

The Rev. Susan K. Weickum died on October 8, 2023, at the age of 75 (1948-2023).

Susan is survived by her husband Michael Rich; her children: Scott (Kelly) and grandsons Michael and Nicholas; Jessica Ribeiro (Rich) (Daniel) and granddaughter Avielle; and Mareike Dieplinger (Hoermann); as well as exchange daughter and her family. Susan was big sister to Patty, Diana, Janice, Sally, and their families.

A memorial service will be held at noon on November 18, 2023, at the UU Church of Indianapolis, 615 W. 43^rd Street, Indianapolis IN.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of one’s choosing. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry. Notes of condolence can be written here.

Anne Clarke

Anne Elizabeth Torrison Clarke, 92, of Sister Bay WI, passed away Sept. 28, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society—Scandia Village in Sister Bay.

She was born Nov. 25, 1930, in Chicago IL, the daughter of Osuld and Marie (Schulz) Torrison and graduated from New Trier High School. She attended Vassar College (NY) and George Mason University (VA), earning a B.A. In 1951, she married Robert Clarke.

Rev. Clarke was ordained in 1964 and Anne followed him to UU churches in Exeter NH; Arlington VA; Dallas TX; Mequon WI; and Cincinnati OH, where he was named Minister Emeritus. In 1992, Anne and Bob moved to Sister Bay, where they had spent summers for many years.

Anne was a member of PEO Wisconsin (Philanthropic Educational Organization) and was instrumental in spearheading the project to build the new Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Library building, overseeing the money-raising efforts to completion. In 1996, Anne and Bob, by then retired, helped found the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County in Sister Bay.

Anne will be missed by daughter, Betsy Clarke of Columbus OH; son, Jim Clarke of Ellison Bay WI; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2013; her parents; and her sister, Mary.

Anne’s life will be honored with a memorial service at Scandia Village in Sister Bay, tentatively planned for November 2023. She will be laid to rest in Little Sister Cemetery in Sister Bay WI.

The Rev. Joel D. Baehr

The Rev. Joel D. Baehr died on September 22, 2023, at the age of 82 (1941-2023).

Joel is survived by daughters: Becky Baehr and Amy Baehr; sister Beth Baehr Bullard and brother-in-law Truman Bullard; grandchildren: Sarah Baehr Schrading, Lilah Baehr Schrading, Karl Basile-Baehr, and Vera Basile-Baehr; and sons-in-law Roger Schrading and Joe Basile.

A celebration of Joel’s life will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024 (2:00-5:00pm) at the First Parish of Arlington, 630 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Doctors without Borders. Notes of condolences 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, Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com.

The Rev. Lewis H. Dunlap

The Rev. Lewis “Lew” H. Dunlap died on September 7, 2023, at the age of 97 (1926-2023).

Lew was born on April 19, 1926, in Warrensburg MO to William Preston Dunlap and Edith Grace Boyd Dunlap. He was the youngest of three children. In 1936, his family moved to Rolla MO where he graduated high school (1943). Lew was called into active duty in the US Army Air Corps in 1944 and was discharged in 1946. After being discharged, he enrolled at Missouri Valley College and received his Bachelor of Arts (1951) following which he went to McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago graduating with his Master of Divinity (1954). Lew then served as a United Presbyterian minister until he was assigned to the Air Force as a Presbyterian chaplain in 1960. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1977.

In 1968, Lew began a radical change in his theology. He began to consider humanism and discovered the First Universalist Church in Denver CO. There he felt at home philosophically. He became active in both the First Universalist Church and the American Humanist Association. At the First Universalist Church, he served as hymn leader at Sunday morning services, sat on the board, and was active on the Lay Ministry Committee.

He represented the congregation on the Colorado Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Board. Thereafter, Lew wanted to extend his ministry to the congregation and to the greater community. He sought to stimulate, encourage, and provide avenues for the development of love, kindness, compassion, and justice through becoming a UU minister.

Rev. Dunlap was ordained by the First Universalist Church, Denver CO, on May 23, 1999. Following ordination, he served the Borderlands UU, Amado AZ (2000–2001) and the UU Congregation of Green Valley AZ (2000–2001). At Green Valley, he actively supported the Canvass Committee and successfully stimulated interest in developing an endowment fund within the congregation. From 2001 to 2002, he served the UU Fellowship at Burlington IA as their interim minister. In 2002, he accepted a call from the UU Church of Greeley CO where he would minister until 2003. Rev. Dunlap exemplified the kind of enthusiasm and commitment that made church life compelling. He ministered with dedication and commitment.

Rev. Dunlap was one of the organizers of a new UU congregation, Prairie UU Church, in the Parker CO area. He cared enough to start a new congregation to spread the news of UUlism to the southeastern suburbs. He also served as a regional Coordinator of the UU Service Committee (2005).

In the larger community, he provided his services as a board member of the Colorado Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, as a founder and coordinator of the Rational Recovery Systems of Colorado, and as a founding and board member of the Colorado Council of Mediators and Mediation Organizations. Likewise, he served as a founder/leader of the Denver Chapter American Humanist Association.

Throughout his life, Lew loved travel, music, bridge, and community theater. He played the piano, guitar, and trumpet, and sang tenor in various local choirs. He also loved baseball and once again proved he had no intention of slowing down, attending the Colorado Rockies Fantasy camp for four years between the ages of 88 and 91! He used his age as his player number.

His son Paul shared: Lew’s “radical shift” in theology initially bordered on atheism fueled by the more anti-religionist elements in the AHA. However, he later repeatedly described the UUA as not anti-god or anti-religion, but open to all beliefs. And over the last few years of his life, his favorite TV viewing has been “The Chosen” a very Biblical and realistic multi-season series about Jesus and his disciples.

Lew is survived by his first wife, Katherine Dunlap; his children: Ruth Anne Hitchcock (Darrell), Paul Dunlap (Karen), and David Dunlap (Tracey); as well as his twelve grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his second wife, Phyllis Dolan, and is also survived by her four children: Kathryn Dolan, Connie Seguin, Albert Dolan, and Michael Dolan; and one grandson.

A memorial open house was held on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, at St. Andrews Village, 13801 E. Yale Ave, Aurora CO 80014.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Prairie UU Church <https://prairieuu.org/give>. Notes of condolence can be written here

<https://www.sbmortuary.com/obituary/Lewis-Dunlap#tributewall> or sent to Paul at pndunlap@comcast.net.