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

Bessie Julien Dayfoot

Bessie Julien Dayfoot

In Memorium Bessie Julien was born in Wheatley, in southwestern Ontario in 1918, the second of 4 children, into an active Methodist family. Her mother was in the Woman’s Missionary Society (WMS) and hosted visiting missionaries upon occasion. That is where Bessie...

Maria (Shepherd) Joyea

Maria (Shepherd) Joyea

In Memorium  Maria Joyea, Miyocasatawiskwew, Good Claw Woman, born March 30, 1935, was a respected elder of the Whitebear First Nation in Saskatchewan and she served First Nations people throughout the Canadian prairies and across the border in Montana and North...

Colleen Erb

Colleen Erb

In Memorium  Colleen Erb fell in love with music and God at an early age. She lived a full life as teacher, pastor and theological reflector. When invited to give a title to her life story she suggested, “Feasting on a life’s journey.” Colleen was born in...

Elinor Cox

Elinor Cox

In Memorium  Elinor Cox served the United Church as a Deaconess/Diaconal minister from 1956 until her retirement in 1991.  She continued to a provide ministry as a volunteer at St. Andrew’s, Moose Jaw. At her funeral it was said of her, “In a way, Elinor was the...

Eleanor Ethel Ferguson

Eleanor Ethel Ferguson

In Memorium  “Eleanor Ferguson was a woman of iron will who had a very kind and compassionate way about her, all at the same time,” writes Joel Den Haan, a former minister. “She became a really good friend to my son Eric who was still a preschooler when we moved...

Florence Poole

Florence Poole

In Memorium  Florence Elizabeth Fitzpatrick Poole entered the United Church Training School in 1951 in a special 8 month program designed to short track women into new church development work.  The rapid post war expansion of suburban Canada, with thousands and...

Jean Macdonald

Jean Macdonald

In Memorium  Jean Macdonald was a spirited woman.  She loved life.  She had a passion for learning.  She worked hard, led with enthusiasm and bore a positive attitude.  Her faith was deep and abiding.  She served God in everything she did, and notably in 30 years...

Frances (Lodge) Steele

Frances (Lodge) Steele

In Memorium  Frances Steele was by nature a humble woman.  She didn’t like to draw attention to her own accomplishments; rather, she took pleasure in letting the sun shine on others.  She was wonderfully creative, hard-working and energetic.  Frances could have...

Jean (Baynton) Shilton

Jean (Baynton) Shilton

In Memorium  Born October 8, 1918 in Brandon, Manitoba, Jean Irving Shilton was the daughter of Eric and Elsie Baynton and the sister of Harold Baynton. She grew up in Brandon, Moose Jaw and Regina, Saskatchewan, weathering the “dirty thirties” in the heart of a...