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
Audrey Cornell
In Memorium Graduating from the United Church Training School in 1952, Gladys “Audrey” Cornell was a member of the largest class the school had ever had (picture of class). She came to the school with the hope of a career as a Deaconess, but circumstances...
Lillian ‘Lil’ Taylor
In Memorium Lillian Jean Marie Taylor was a woman of good humour and great compassion. She was practical and forthright in offering her service, motivated by a deeply inherent love for God, whose face she saw in all those in need. From an early age Lillian...
Lawrence Moon
In Memorium Certified Churchman/Diaconal Minister, Lawrence Moon was gracious and gentle and demonstrated a positive manner with everyone around him. He never wavered in his conviction that the Spirit of God held him and all of us in loving arms. Lawrence was...
Evelyne “Evie” Gilmour
In Memorium Evelyne "Evie" Gilmour, while teaching in Toronto, became involved in community ministry through her church, and eventually enrolled in a Social Services program at Ryerson University. After ehr marriage to Lorne Hefflefinger, the family eventually...
Florence Cochrane Butler
In Memorium Florence Cochrane Butler was born on October 21, 1923. While a student at the United Church Training School, Florence had a summer placement at Leask, Saskatchewan. She met her partner George, also from Leask, at Bloor Street United Church in...
Alice Margaret (Creighton) Read
In Memorium March 1, 2011 our local paper The Daily News ran an obituary that tugged at the hearts of many in our city. Alice Margaret (Creighton) Read had died at the age of 80 years. She was a spiritual mentor, a respected and beloved Diaconal Minister (1) ,...
Mary Burns Field
In Memorium Mary Irene Field was a thoughtful and gracious woman, who quietly served some of the needest people in her community. She was proud of her education at the United Church Training School, and spoke with energy about the gift the school gave her to...
Joyce Margaret Blenkarn Lockhart
In Memorium Joyce Margaret Blenkarn Lockhart’s first career was as a legal secretary. Later in her life she fulfilled the long-held dream of preparing for ordered ministry. She was commissioned in 1979. The main aspect of Joyce’s ministry was hospital...
Jean B. Kellerman
In Memorium Jean Kellerman was born in 1919 and died October 6, 2010, at Freeport Health Centre of Grand River Hospital, after a brief illness, at the age of 91. She worked as overseas personnel for 30 years, for a short time in China and then in Japan, first...