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
Laurie Ann Storring
In Memorium Laurie Ann (Kirby) Storring was born on April 28, 1956 in Bancroft, Ontario, an area that is known for its beautiful natural environment. Perhaps it is from these beginnings that her love of the outdoors entwined with her spirituality. She wrote of...
Sylvia Hamilton
In Memorium Sylvia Hamilton grew up in the United Church of Canada, and was an active volunteer, providing leadership in Church School. She was the first woman to be Sunday School Superintendent at St. George’s United Church in Toronto. Sylvia was trained...
Thelma Dixon-Murphy
In Memorium Thelma Dixon was born on December 11, 1918. The first part of this biography, is an autobiography, written by Thelma in 2002. Inspired by the teachers who lived in our home and whom I admired, I grew up in Northern Ontario knowing that I wanted to...
Leafa (Drew) McNeil
In Memorium Leafa Drew contributed much to enrich God’s world through her faith and her music – she was a practical Christian – she accepted the blessings of God in life, and met the difficult times with quiet patience and understanding. Leafa had to decide in...
Frances Taylor Cline
In Memorium Frances Taylor was born July 18,1922 in Edmonton, Alberta to Geoffery Bradford Taylor and Jean Frances Millar. She was the second of 4 children; John, Neil and Peggy were her siblings. She lived in Edmonton during her school years, spending most...
Mary Pyne
In Memorium Mary Pyne, born in 1924, was a colourful, feisty and loving advocate for justice. She lived her theology in everything she did. Mary, already a registered nurse, graduated from the United Church Training School in 1950. Her first appointment with the...
Nellie Spicer
In Memorium Nellie Spicer was a character: her view was broad and she was curious about everything. She was a doer, and do she did. Raised in a farm family in southern Alberta, she was the oldest of 11 children. It was a church family, and at home and church,...
Geraldine Dearing Bould
In Memorium Geraldine Bould was a bright, capable woman, who brought skill and wisdom to the ministries she conducted in her long career serving congregations and church institutions as a lay person and as a Deaconesses. Geraldine Gladys was born in 1928 in...
Betty Chisholm Cade
In Memorium Betty Ann Chisholm Cade was a spirited woman, deeply committed to the ministry of hospitality. Her home was frequently the location of parties for her family and friends. She was faithful in connecting her classmates to one another and other United...