The Rev. Joan R. Gelbein

The Rev. Joan R. Gelbein died on May 27, 2023, at the age of 87 (1935-2023).

Joan is survived by her husband of 65 years, Abe Gelbein; daughters Eve (Robert) Zuber and Martha (Craig) Woodard; as well as her grandchildren Samantha Zuber and Matthew and Benjamin Woodard.

A celebration of Joan’s life will be held at 3 pm on September 9, 2023, at the Unitarian Universalist Peace Fellowship, 4104 Watkins Rd, Raleigh NC 27616. (Please call or text Abe at 919-608-1182 if you are planning to attend.)

Memorial donations may be made to Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice, 168 Industrial Drive, Northampton MA 01060. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Abe Gelbein, 6 Cranberry Ln, Easthampton MA 01027.

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. Shirley Ann Ranck

The Rev. Dr. Shirley Ann Ranck died on May 14, 2023, at the age of 92 (1930-2023).

Shirley is survived by her children, Scott Page, James Page, Christina
Bell, and Laura Van Lue, along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family.

Shirley received her BA degree from Montclair State University (NJ) in 1953 followed by a Masters of Religious Education from Drew University (NJ) in 1958, an MA in Clinical Psychology from City University of New York in 1964, a PhD in Urban School Psychology from Fordham University (NY) in 1976, and a Master of Divinity from the Thomas Starr King School for the Ministry (CA) in 1978.

Shirley worked for many years as a school psychologist in the Livingston NJ public schools. After receiving her PhD, she decided on a career change and became a Unitarian Universalist minister. Most of her career was spent as an interim minister for various Unitarian Universalist congregations around the United States and Canada.

Shirley is the author of the “Cakes for the Queen of Heaven: A Ten Session Course in Feminist Thealogy,” published by the Unitarian Universalist Association. She is also author of the books Cakes for the Queen of Heaven and The Grandmother Galaxy, and a number of articles for various publications. Her last published work was as co-editor of Pagan and Earth-Centered Voices in Unitarian Universalism, to which she contributed three chapters.

She will be interred with her parents in a private ceremony. Memorial donations in Shirley’s name may be made to:

  – the UU Women’s Federation UU Women’s Federation
  <https://www.uuwf.org/Donate>
  – the Malala Fund How to Help Girls? Education
  <https://malala.org/donate?sc=header>

UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry. Notes of condolence can be sent to Laura Van Lue, 122 Parkway, Niles MI
49120.

Treva Frank

Treva (Zuercher) Frank, 96, died May 8, 2023, in the comfort of her home in Orange MA with her family.

She was born in 1927 in Pennsylvania to Oswin and Priscilla Zuercher. She graduated from Bluffton (OH) College, in 1948 where she met her husband, the Rev. Vance Frank. They enjoyed 70 years together before his passing in 2019. She and Vance raised six children as they served churches in Ohio; Rumford and West Paris ME; 1^st Universalist Church of Orange MA, 1972–1992; and First Church Unitarian of Athol MA,1984–1992.

In addition to church and community activities Treva was an avid reader, a member of the Atheneum and Unity club.

Treva was a kind, gentle soul, full of grace with a quick wit and a ready smile. She was proud of her Mennonite heritage, living the values of kindness, acceptance and primacy of family. She made her home the gathering place for family and friends caring for aging parents and grandchildren.

Treva was predeceased by her parents, husband, her sister Vivian Skinner as well as daughter Karen Frank Mays and sons Micheal Frank and Daniel Frank.

She is survived by her sister Mary Reichley; daughters, Julie Frank (James Randall) of Colorado and Bonnie Frank (Kenton Tharp) and Anita Henry (James) of Orange; son-in-law Richard Mays of NH; and daughter-in-law Allyson Hart Frank of Gardner. Treva dearly loved her 14 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and her great-great-granddaughter.

The family expresses gratitude to the Hospice Team of Care Central VNA for their compassionate care. Service will be private.

The Rev. Hannah T. Rappolt

The Rev. Hannah Tabitha “Tabby” Rappolt died on May 7, 2023, at the age of 72 (1951-2023). Tabby is survived by her husband George A. Rappolt; her children: Ethan A. A. Rappolt, Pele A. T. “Tara” (Jeffrey) Rivard, and Amanda S.D. (Richard “Chad”) Bergeron; and her grand-children: Rhiannon Rivard, Jasper M. Bergeron, Shayla Rivard, Evelyn G. Bergeron and Elwynn Rivard. She also leaves behind her siblings: Susannah “Sukey” (James) Blake, Seth (Clara) Tuckerman, and Abigail Slayton (Frank Dick) and their children.

Tabby was born on April 15, 1951, in Holyoke MA to Murray Tuckerman and Byrde Tuckerman. The oldest of four children, she spent her first two years in Philadelphia until her parents moved to Troy NY. At the age of seven, the family moved back to Philadelphia where she remained until entering college. When Tabby was eight, her family joined Germantown Unitarian Church.

Tabby found the church to be a happy and understanding place. She enjoyed Sunday School and teaching Sunday School. The youth group, LRY, was an important aspect of the church in her high school years. As she progressed, she became more attached to the church environment. In her teens, she realized that ministry was the career she was looking for. She wanted to be a Unitarian minister.

In 1973, Tabby graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Biblical Studies from Wellesley College (MA). At Wellesley, she was involved in the Wellesley College Shakespeare Society and was active in college chapel programs, among other activities. Her interest in the ministry and her commitment to Unitarianism remained firm throughout college, after her graduation, and subsequent marriage. In 1977, she received her Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School.

Rev. Rappolt was ordained on April 29, 1979 by the First Church Unitarian, Athol MA, where she served in the parish for four years (1979-1983). She knew the congregation well and was empathetic, compassionate, kind, and understanding to everyone. She did an excellent job of visiting the sick and anyone else in need of the minister for help and counseling.

From 1984 to 1986, she was minister to the Dighton Community Church MA. From 1987 to 1991, she served the First Parish in Needham MA as a minister of Religious Education. Thereafter, she worked in a variety of secretarial and other office roles, such as a paid alumnae recruiter for Wellesley College, before becoming an office manager in the late 1990s.

Rev. Rappolt was an active member of the First Parish in Needham and provided her service as a worship committee chair (2004-2009). She was also involved in denominational affairs serving as a GA delegate in 1981; was a member of the UUMA; the Ministerial Sisterhood UU; and the UU Women’s Federation. She attended GA in person in 2009 and online in 2021.

In community, Hannah served the Athol/Orange Clergy Association as a member (1978-1984) and President (1979-1983). She was an elected secretary/treasurer (1985) for the Dighton/Taunton Clergy Association and an on-call group chaperone for the Taunton Human Service Associate. She was an outspoken proponent of social justice; after retirement, she volunteered with Metrowest Worker Center. She also volunteered with the Immigration Justice Task Force, as part of First Parish in Needham’s level 2 sanctuary program, and through the UUA’s immigration services program provided housing for a Haitian couple for several months.

In her leisure time, she enjoyed cooking (especially canning, preserving, and winemaking), embroidery, writing poetry, and fencing. She read mysteries, historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy, along with some non-fiction. Gardening and indoor plants were her lifelong minor pursuit. Her musical tastes included a broad range of styles. In recent years she also played Bejeweled, Farmville, and Forge of Empires. She was an active member of Needham’s square dance club and she also greatly enjoyed travel.

A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. on June 3, 2023, at the First Parish in Needham, 23 Dedham Ave, Needham MA 02492.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wellesley College Shakespeare Society, the Metrowest Worker’s Center or to the UUSC. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry. Notes of condolence can be sent to George A. Rappolt, 9 Morgan Drive Unit 105, Natick MA

Margi Nasemann

Margaret “Margi” A. (Hoyt) Nasemann, 87, of Westborough MA, passed away May 6, 2023. She was born Nov. 9, 1935, in Parkersburg WV, the daughter of Claremont E. and Margaret (Hawkins) Hoyt, and graduated from high school in Middleport OH.

She graduated from Marietta College in 1957 with a degree in education. Following her parents to Weedsport NY, she began her career as an elementary school teacher. On August 12, 1960, she married the Rev. Raymond Nasemann (1926–1997), who served Unitarian Universalist churches in Perry, Bristol, and Auburn NY. They settled in Syracuse, where Margi was a sixth-grade teacher at Percy Hughes School for 10 years.

While raising four boys, Margi attended State Univ. of NY-Cortland, and was first VP of the Syracuse Teachers Association. She fought successfully for maternal leave for city school district teachers. She then earned a Master’s in Education at Syracuse University, before becoming vice principal and finally a principal of Meacham and Webster elementary schools.

Margi retired in 1992. She was strongly supportive of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. She was also president of the Centers for Nature Education at Baltimore Woods.

She remained in Syracuse until about 2015, shortly after she met a second love, the Rev. Glen Snowden (1932–2020) at a UURMAPA meeting. Margi served as a Partner member on the UURMaPA Board as Connections Network Chair from 2012-2015. She is also the mother-in-law of Rev. Alice Anachecka-Nasemann, who serves the Unitarian Church of Marlborough and Hudson (MA).

Margi spent the last ten years of Glen’s life with him until his passing in June 2020. Thereafter, Margi slowly succumbed to emphysema and Alzheimer’s. She is survived by her sister, Josephine (Burke) Bero; sisters-in-law Trudy Hoyt and Della Gregory; sons Eric (Bobbi) Nasemann, Brian, David (Kalindi), and Alan (Alice Anacheka-Nasemann), two grandchildren and 18 nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service was held May 13, 2023, at the Unitarian Church of Marlborough and Hudson (MA). In lieu of flowers, you are encouraged to donate to the Camp Unirondack campership fund, 8522 Unirondack Rd., Lowville NY 13367.

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.

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.

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.