The Rev. Elizabeth “Betsy” Boyd Stevens died on March 14, 2024, at the age of 91 (1932-2024).
Betsy was born on November 29, 1932, in Boston MA to Elizabeth Bigelow and Robert St. Barbe Boyd. She was raised in Milton and Duxbury MA, and attended Milton Academy through elementary and high school, graduating in 1950. Her family were life-long Unitarians. Betsy led an active extracurricular life, but her prime goal was to get to college. On a part-time basis, she taught sailing and worked in a camp for children with cerebral palsy. She entered Smith College (MA) in 1950 and married in her junior year to a cadet from West Point, who was assigned to Korea after his graduation. During this time, Betsy remained in college and graduated with a major in Sociology (1954). She worked at Jordan Marsh as well as volunteered at Peter Bent Brigham.
For the next twenty years, Betsy and her husband lived in varied Army installations throughout the world. They had a son and a daughter and in 1966, returned to the United States and lived in Alexandria, VA.
After re-locating in Alexandria, Betsy got an opportunity to become active in a parish. From 1971 to 1983, she served the Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church, Alexandria VA first as the 2nd grade teacher, then the interim DRE, and then the DRE. She restructured the church’s youth programs, put Unitarian Universalism in the curriculum, and organized bi-yearly trips to the Boston area to teach the youth about their religious heritage. She served the Mt. Vernon church for thirteen years as a strong leader in the intergenerational forums. In 1981, she completed the UU Independent Study Program.
Rev. Stevens was ordained to the ministry of religious education by the First Church and Parish in Dedham MA on February 24, 1985, where she served as a Minister of Religious Education from 1984 to 2003. She helped plan and carry out a well-balanced RE program that enriched the church. The church became more vibrant and caring with a fine RE program. Rev. Stevens equally paid attention to the people of the church, their growth in RE skills, and their growth as individuals in the community. She was an excellent group leader in adult and youth education programs, facilitating discussion, exercising initiative, and interacting effectively.
She retired from her active ministry in the parish in 2003. That year, Meadville Lombard Theological School honored her with a Doctor of Divinity, and in 2004 the First Church and Parish in Dedham honored her as their minister emerita.
Rev. Dr. Stevens was active on the denominational level serving as a designated legal resident for LREDA, MRP advisor, and MRE Focus Group convener. Furthermore, she provided her services to the Continental Women and Religion Committee, the Council on Church/Staff Finances, Good Offices for LREDA and UUMA, the District Minister Advisory Committee, the District Safe Congregation Outreach Team, the UU Historical Society board, and many more. Additionally, she served the Ballou Channing District, Brockton MA from 2001 to 2003.
Rev. Stevens received the Larry E. Axel Award, Modified Residence Program, Meadville Lombard Theological School (1977); and the Angus H. Maclean Award for Excellence in Religious Education, UUA (2001).
In Duxbury, Betsy served as chairperson of the Water Activities Committee for their 350th Anniversary celebration. She was a volunteer for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School “Women Under Way” program, a trustee of the Duxbury Cemetery, and a board member at the Council of Aging. In 2013, she was awarded the Duxbury Community Volunteer Award.
Betsy’s passion was sailing. She won her first season trophy in 1946 at the age of 14. She enjoyed sailboat racing in Duxbury Bay for many summers and received many South Shore trophies through the years. In 1979 and 1981, she won the Massachusetts Bay Women’s Championship.
Betsy is survived by her husband Frederick A. Stevens, Jr., and her two children: Wyatt Stevens (Giselle) and Elizabeth (Lisa) Giannechini (Tony). She also leaves her two granddaughters, Alice Stevens and Libby Giannechini; her sister, Alexandra (Sandy) B. Earle, and one great-grandson.
A memorial service was held on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the First Parish Church UU, 842 Tremont St.(Rte. 3A), Duxbury MA 02331.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Duxbury Bay Maritime School, 457 Washington St, Duxbury MA 02332. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.
Notes of condolence may be written here.