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