Mary Rose Curtis, surviving spouse of the Rev. James Curtis, died 4 March 2021 at home in Charlottesville, Virginia, at age 94. She was born 30 May 1926 in Utica, New York. After secondary school, she earned an associates degree in medical records and began working in that field.
In 1952 she married James Curtis and accompanied him to Germany, where he was deployed as a Russian linguist by the Air Force. When they returned to the U.S. she went back to work and he went to seminary to become a Unitarian Universalist minister. She engaged with social justice work in each of the four churches he served, working for farm worker’s rights, women’s rights, and international peace. Her 50-year commitment led to a United Nations Human Rights Community Award.
When James died in 1973, May Rose (or MZ, as she was sometimes called) returned to college to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree as medical records administrator. She built a consulting business, published articles in trade magazines, and eventually took a job at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital. Acting as her own attorney, she won a suit against the Army for age discrimination. She also met Dr. Edward Fries and enjoyed world travel, attending symphonies, and live theater with him for more than 30 years.
Dr. Fries died in 2005, and her son Bennett – a who lived with her for over 30 years – died in 2014, but MZ continued her involvement with her UU community.
A memorial service will be held when people can gather. Memorial contributions can be made to the UU Congregation of Charlottesville, Va.