In Memorium
They nurtured our spirits and gave us their courage.As you read the memorials of women and men who served the United Church in Diaconal Ministry, you are invited to ponder their stories. Drink in their courage, their commitment, and their wisdom. Let their lives and memories nurture your spirit.
In Memorium
A human life is holy,
for it comes from God
and it returns to God:
A human life is holy
in its becoming.
A human life is holy
in its living
And a human life is holy
in its dying
Carole Etzler’s song, “Standing Before Us” has often been sung at diaconal gatherings. The song invites us to appreciate and embody the wisdom we receive from the our elders who have gone before us. The third verse of the song reminds us that these forebears “nurtured our spirits” and “gave us their courage.” Through their witness we are made strong.
As you read the memorials of women and men who served the United Church in Diaconal Ministry, you are invited to ponder their stories. Drink in their courage, their commitment, and their wisdom. Let their lives and memories nurture your spirit.
Longer biographies of women who entered the diaconate prior to 1980 are available at UCCDeaconessHistory.ca
Remembered
Each time DUCC meets, a time of worship names those who have died since DUCC last gathered. See below for biographies on the women and men who have been recently remembered.
The following people will be remembered at the 2020 DUCC National Gathering:
Frances Clarke, July 5, 2018
Sharon Davis, July 26, 2017
Ruth (Peat) Robertson, June 3, 2017
Jessie MacLeod, May 3, 2018
PAST MEMORIAL PRESENTATIONS:
2018 National Gathering: To view the Memorial Service: Memorial Script and Memorial Slideshow (download and print the script which has the corresponding slide numbers for viewing the slideshow)
2017 National Gathering: o view the Memorial service: Memorial Script and Memorial Slideshow (download and print the script with the corresponding slide numbers for viewing the slideshow)
Our Community
In Memorium
Nobuko “Noby” Matsugu
In Memorium Nobuko, Noby, was one of 7 children born July 28, 1928, in the east side of Vancouver to Midori and Shuichi Sasaki. One of her sisters, Kay Kuwahara, describes life there: “It was a nice, ethnic community. Our best friends were Italians who lived...
Catherine “Kay” MacLeod
In Memorium Fortunately, the United Church Training School attracted no shortage of spunky women, and Kay MacLeod was one of them. She was born February 23, 1923 to Alex and Marion (Ross) MacLeod, one of 6 children. Catherine was grateful for her family. In...
Nancy Fraser
In Memorium Nancy Keith Fraser was born and died in her beloved Nova Scotia, but she had a life of adventure and travel in between. She was the eldest daughter of Keith and Anna Fraser and grew up involved in local sports (swimming) and church activities. She...
Ruth (Oliver) McPhee
In Memorium Ruth Oliver, born September 22, 1920, grew up in Hamilton, Ontario with her siblings Alfred Oliver, Mary Acheson and Anne Wright. All were surrounded by the love of their parents Caroline and Frederick Oliver, whom she credited with exceptional...
Etta Snow
In Memorium Etta Snow was a force. A woman of courage and commitment, she accomplished many great things. She stood in solidarity with Angolans being oppressed at great personal risk. She challenged the power of patriarchy, sacrificing her own potential to...
Marg Avison
1930 – 2016
Rollande “Rolly” MacLean
In Memorium Rolly MacLean was born in Sudbury, Ontario and, until she was settled to her first pastoral charge, she lived in the French community of Blezard Valley, a small farming community near the City of Sudbury. Rolly was married to Keith for 43 years....
Peggy Alston Campbell Geddes
In Memorium Peggy Alston was born between the two World Wars, the youngest daughter of Ernest and Ida Alston. She grew up in a privileged home, the youngest of two children, in Forest Hill in Toronto; her father was in sales, her mother, a former school...
JungHee Park
In Memorium JungHee Park was born on November 29, 1964 and died peacefully on Sunday, January 31st, 2016 at home at the age of 51, after living courageously with cancer for a year. After finishing graduate studies in theology at Ewha Womans University in Seoul,...