The Reverend Marcia Schekel—educator, compassionate chaplain, and lifelong religious seeker who moved from Catholic to Methodist and finally to UU affiliation—died on 18 May 2017, aged 70.

Marcia Welsh was born to Joe and Margaret Welsh on 4 June 1946 in Marion, Ohio, and grew up in nearby Dayton until age 13, when the family moved to Boulder, Colorado. She earned a B.A. in journalism at Colorado State University in 1968 and married fellow student Kurt Schekel the same year. Growing interest in feminist theology drew her from Roman Catholicism to the more liberal Methodist church, where she was active as a religious educator for 14 years.

After earning an M.A. in adult and continuing education at Washington State University (Pullman) in 1978, she stayed on to direct WSU’s women’s programs (1978-83) and then as manager of its continuing education program (1983-98). Meanwhile, work with Elderhostel (now Road Scholar) beginning in 1983 led Marcia to an interest in “models for aging” and in 1998 she moved to Portland (Oregon) to accept a job with Elderhostel.

Once again religiously restless, Marcia joined the First Unitarian Church of Portland. Volunteer work with hospice programs and bereavement groups encouraged her to further study at Marylhurst University (OR). She earned an M.A. in applied theology in 2004 and then became a hospice chaplain at Providence Home and Community Services. In recognition of her gifts for this work, Ms. Schekel was ordained by the First Unitarian Church of Portland on 15 April 2007 and served there as an affiliated minister until retirement in 2013.

Marcia is survived by spouse Kurt, son Zachary, brother Mike, and four grandchildren.