Remembering Rose Lovell Bouck

Remembering a Pioneering Woman Ruling Elder Rose Lovell Bouck

By The Rev. Robert D. Nicholson,
Presbytery of Seattle

Lovell was an active elder, who with her late husband Roger, served in congregations in Lake Forest Park and Mulkiteo and in the Presbytery of North Puget Sound (now Presbytery of the NW Coast). She served General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church(USA) as a reader and grader of Standard Ordination Examinations for candidates for ministry.

Her pilgrimage began October 30, 1925 in Hermiston, Oregon and ended in her death, September 14, 2016. Memorial Services were conducted, September 17, 2016 at Ida Culver Broadview Retirement Community, Seattle where she lived, by her son the Rev. Ray D. Moore, HR and chaplain at Park Shore Retirement Community, Seattle. 

Her early education was in Westminster and Avenal, California where she was both an athlete and musician(marching band, baseball and track)

Wherever you found Lovell there was a person who was faithful in congregation life, serving on the session, singing in the choir,  graciously accepting others and always on the cutting edge open to new ideas.

What a legacy of love and leadership! She fulfilled that ordination vow as she always “ served with energy, intelligence, imagination and love.”

Remembering Rev. Dr. Donald Buteyn

Rev. Dr. Donald P. Buteyn, of Holland died Monday, November 30, 2015. He served in 1969 as Executive of the Seattle Presbytery & Synod of Alaska-Northwest. 

Read more.

Helen Hamilton Memorial Service

Helen Hamilton died on August 29, 2016.  Her memorial service will be Wednesday, September 14 at 7:00 PM at Wedgwood Presbyterian Church, 8008 35th Ave NE, Seattle.  

From Karen Breckenridge (TE, Wedgwood):

Helen was a very active member of the PCUSA. She was an early advocate and guiding light in the peace and justice movement where she served on both a national and a local level. Throughout much of her time in Seattle, Helen was a member of Kent First PC, but when she moved to Seattle, she joined Wedgwood PC. Throughout her time in Seattle presbytery, she was very active in peacemaking work. She was also very active in PW and served in leadership there for many years.

7/19: Rev. Donna Frey DeCou Memorial Service

Rev. Donna Frey DeCou (Seattle Presbytery/HR) passed away this morning, July 19. Please join friends and family for a memorial service on Saturday, July 30 at 1:30 PM to celebrate Donna's life and witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Location: Wallingford Presbyterian Church, 1414 N 42nd St, Seattle, WA 98103 (42nd & Ashworth).

Eulogy by Rev. Tiare Mathison

5/21: Rev. Donna Frey DeCou (HR)

Rev. Donna Frey DeCou's brain cancer has returned and she is currently at home after being under hospice care. She is unable to receive any visitors. Please join us in praying for Donna during this time.  

Rev. Tiare Mathison, Pastor at Wallingford PC: "Donna was a pioneer Clergywoman, who paved the way for many of us, with dignity, grace and a deep, abiding faith in the goodness and mercy of God.  Her story will last for a very long time."

If you'd like to share your stories and messages, please comment below or email SeaPres communications.

5/22: Rev. Gary Schwab Died

Rev. Gary Schwab (HR) passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2016. Prayers for his wife Judy and family are greatly appreciated during this time.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 11 at 2:00 at Newport Presbyterian Church.

5/1: Rev. Donna Whitmore Died

Rev. Donna Whitmore, a former member of Seattle Presbytery, passed away on May 1.  She was residing in Pennsylvania. 

4/23: Rev. Morgan West Died

Rev. Morgan West (Honorably Retired) passed away on Saturday, April 23, 2016. His memorial service will be at Newport Presbyterian Church on Saturday, May 28 at 1:00 PM. Please keep his wife Jackie and family in prayer.  

4/16: Shirley Gallotte Memorial Service

Shirley Gallotte, wife of Rev. Dave Gallotte (HR) passed away earlier this week.  The memorial service will be held at Mercer Island Presbyterian Church on Saturday, April 16 at 2:00 PM.  There will be a pick up choir that will sing Handel’s Thanks Be to Thee for any singers who would like to join.  Please be at the church at 1:00 to rehearse.

10/21: Rev. Barbara Benjamin Died

Rev. Barbara Benjamin (Honorably Retired, Parish Associate at Summit Avenue PC) passed away on October 21st.  Please keep her husband, Rev. Jerry Benjamin (HR, Parish Associate at Summit Avenue PC) and family in prayer.

Updates as they become available on Summit Avenue PC's Facebook page.

9/14: Rev. Erin McArdel and Baby after a challenging delivery

Please lift up Rev. Erin McArdel and her new Baby Boy in prayer after a very challenging delivery this week. Erin and Baby are both recovering at Valley Medical. Get updates from the family's CaringBridge site.

Erin is a chaplain serving in a validated position at the Seattle VA Hospital. 

5/26: Rev. Jim Simpson Died

Presbyterian Family:

  Below I am forwarding the message we just sent to our extended family and friends letting them know that our Dad, Jim Simpson, passed away yesterday, May 26, 2015.  He lived a full and long life with deep roots in the Presbyterian church.  He served as clergy in Port Townsend and Pasco prior to going to Philadelphia, PA to work with the national church in Christian Education.  In 1969 Dad returned to Washington, and thrived in his Christian Education focus with the Synod of Alaska NW.  Before retirement he taught at San Francisco Theological Seminary. 

  While many of Dad's contemporaries and colleagues are no longer with us, there are likely some who knew Dad and would appreciate knowing this.  If you have avenues of communication, we would appreciate you letting people know.

  With appreciation, 

  Martha Teigen (Jim's daughter)     

Dear Family and Friends,

Yesterday our Dad, James (Jim) Simpson, the ever positive, creative, can-do, enthusiast of life left this world to join Mom after only two months since her passing.  They were both 92 years old and had been married since 1946 – what an amazing story this is.

As most of you know, these past few years have been difficult for him, as his vibrant self became muddled into the confusion and limitations of dementia. He became complacent and easy going, recognizing us off and on, always with a willing smile or chuckle to a friendly face or laughter, yet, not himself. It was hard for those of us who knew and loved him not to grieve and miss who we knew him to be. His body outlived his vibrant one-of-a-kind mind and spirit. That said, his life was so much more … his forever love for his homeland of west central Minnesota, his commitment to family, faith and sense of purpose.  His true gifts as a Christian Educator and as Grandpa Extraordinaire! 

There will be much to reflect on in days ahead, but for now, we want to express deep appreciation for all of you who have enriched Mom, Dad and our families’ lives in immeasurable ways.  Our parents felt immensely blessed and could not have been more appreciative of their extended family and their wonderful circle of friends.  They loved their lives.  What more could anyone ask?

We will be planning a memorial service for Dad for 10:30 AM on July 2nd at Maplewood Presbyterian Church in Edmonds, WA.  This was Mom and Dad’s church home for over 30 years.  We know that this is possible for some living locally, while others will be present with us in spirit and that we will connect at different times and places on into the future.

According to the caregivers with Dad just before he died, his last word may have been, “God.”

We have been blessed and are giving thanks for his life,

  Martha Teigen, Jim Simpson Jr., John Simpson and Peter Simpson

1/31: Rev. Dr. Steve Hayner, Seminary President & Interdenominational Leader Died

Columbia Connections

January 31, 2015

The Rev. Dr. Stephen (Steve) A. Hayner, president emeritus of Columbia Theological Seminary, passed away today at the age of 66 surrounded by family and friends in the Columbia community. Known by many throughout the world with love, affection, and gratitude, Steve was a person of many honors and degrees who refused to categorize others or himself by achievements. His goal was to always live to and for an audience of One, and his hope was to live life with wide open arms and relational integrity. His life was imbued with joy and freedom, which touched and changed many people along the way.

Born June 23, 1948, Steve graduated from Walla Walla High School in Walla Walla, WA. He then attended Whitman College also in Walla Walla, graduating summa cum laude in 1970 with a B.A. in English Literature.

In 1972, Steve continued his education at Harvard Divinity School where he received his M.T.S. in Semitic Studies, and then one year later earned a Th.M. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. While in the Boston area, he served at the well-known Park Street Church where Steve met Sharol Rhodes, whom he later married in June of 1973.

After receiving his degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 1973, Steve was ordained and installed as “university pastor” at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle, WA where he was involved with students and faculty. What started as a group of 17 students quickly grew to over 1,200. While there, he utilized two sabbaticals to complete his Ph.D. in Hebrew and Semitic Studies at the University of St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland in 1984.

Read more.

“On Wednesday when the Columbia community gathered to worship and pray for Steve and his family, he continued to love the students, faculty, and staff as he texted to say, “On what will probably be my last day on this earth I want to send you all at the seminary my deepest love, gratitude and joy. Joyfully, Steve.””

A service celebrating Steve’s life will be held at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, 3434 Roswell Road Northwest, Atlanta, GA 30305 on February 23 at 2:00pm.

Gifts in memory of Steve Hayner may be given to Columbia Theological Seminary, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (U.S.A.), International Justice Mission, or World Vision.

1/19: Lifelong Servant of the Church, Elizabeth-Ann 'Betty' Nicholson Died

Elizabeth “Betty” Nicholson died peacefully from cancer January 19. 

Betty Nicholson in 1969 - Courtesy of Rev. Dr. Bob Nicholson.

Throughout her life, Nicholson served the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and communities across the country, from New York City to Lubbock, Texas, to Juneau, Alaska. She was a fourth-generation Presbyterian leader. 

Born in China to missionary parents and educated at the College of Wooster, Nicholson began her professional life as a director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church in Little Falls, New York. After a brief stint there, she became an editor for the Board of Foreign Missions at the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (PCUSA) offices in New York City, where she met her husband, the Rev. Dr. Robert D. Nicholson (HR, Seattle Presbytery). 

Among many other services to her church, Nicholson helped form the Palo Duro Union Presbytery that brought together 65 congregations of the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS) and the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (UPCUSA) before the two denominations merged. 

During her 14 years as a member, elder, chorister, and teacher at Lake City Presbyterian Church (Seattle, WA) she was known for her Biblical knowledge, musical skill, and hospitality.  She repeatedly and graciously entertained church members, groups and officers in her home. In the Lake City PC sanctuary her son and daughter were married and two of her three grandsons were baptized.

Betty’s experience with aging prompted her to initiate the Lake City PC Care Giver Support Group that continued under her leadership for nearly a decade.  She was longtime Chair of the Task Force on Aging of the Church Council of Greater Seattle; a deacon at the Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, Seattle; Board Development Chair for the Board of Presbyterian Retirement Communities NW; and instrumental in planning and building of their newest Retirement Community, “Skyline At First Hill.”  

She served professionally as Regional Manager for the Volunteer Chore Ministry to help older persons live independently in their homes and was a Resident Service Director for 5 senior housing projects for low-income seniors sponsored by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle. She completed master level studies in Gerontology at the University of Washington’s Institute on Aging and brought to that experience two years of study in patient education at the School of Medicine from Texas Tech University.

She has served the national Presbyterian Church(USA) as a founder of POAM, the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network; led training conferences at Montreat in North Carolina and Mo Ranch in Kerrville, Texas; served on the Presbytery of Seattle’s Committee on Ministry and Moderator of the Presbytery’s Permanent Judicial Commission(PJC); followed by service on the Synod of Alaska Northwest’s PJC. 

In retirement with Bob, they served the Chapel by the Lake, Auke Bay, Juneau, Alaska where she was active with the Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery of Alaska.  She lived her last four years at retirement communities in Seattle grateful for the blessing of family, neighbors, and friends. 

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 7, at 2:00 p.m. at Lake City Presbyterian Church in Seattle, with a graveside service at 3:00 p.m. the following day at Woodlawn Cemetery in Snohomish, Wash. 

Donations to the Betty Nicholson Memorial Fund, which will be shared between Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Heifer International, can be made at any Wells Fargo branch.

Presbyterian News Service Story

1/14: Rev. Syngman Rhee Dies

PC(USA) mourns loss of former Moderator and ecumenical leader

The Reverend Syngman Rhee, a Presbyterian minister, seminary professor, and respected leader in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and wider faith community, died January 14 in Atlanta shortly after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. He was 83.

Elected in 2000 as Moderator of the PC(USA) General Assembly, Rhee was the first Asian American to serve in that position. He also served as president of the National Council of Churches from 1992 to 1993.

Read more...

11/7: Rev. Dr. Richard "Dick" Leon Died

Rev. Dr. Richard "Dick" Leon (Honorably Retired, Parish Associate at Sammamish PC and former Senior Pastor at BelPres) was killed in a bicycle accident November 7, 2014 in Arizona where he and his wife Carolyn live during the winter months. 

From BelPres Communications:

It is with a heavy heart that we send this email. Late this afternoon we received word of the death of beloved, former Senior Bellevue Presbyterian Church Pastor Dr. Richard Leon, known affectionately by all as Dick. He died while doing one of his favorite activities, riding his bicycle in Arizona. This news is such a shock and is almost impossible to believe. When we think of Dick we hear his strong preaching of God's love and grace. Today we hold onto Dick's faith and claim God's eternal promise that "in life and in death we are the Lord's." Please pray for Carolyn and the family in this time of grief. As we receive more details and information about a memorial we will post updates.

From Rev. Jeff Lincicome, Senior Pastor at Sammamish PC:

Dick leaves a long legacy for Jesus Christ, serving Christ and the church all around the world as a dynamic preacher and teacher, a talented leader, and a faithful and gracious pastor and friend. I know many of us rank Dick among the giants of the faith and will be forever grateful for his influence and friendship. SPC has been blessed to have Dick teaching for us, leading us in times of transition, and most recently preaching for us this past summer during my sabbatical.  
Death is always a blow, and this death is particularly devastating. But what we believe and hold to is that death doesn't have the final word: Jesus Christ does. And because of that, we have hope, even in the face of tragedies such as this. Please hold Carolyn, and their children in your prayers, and I'd invite you to join us in worship Sunday as we comfort each other, grieve together, and look to our God for hope. In times like this, the family needs to be together. Please join us.

From Scott Lumsden, Executive Presbyter:

Our hearts grieve with his wife Carolyn and her family in their loss and with the communities of Bellevue Presbyterian and Sammamish Presbyterian Church. Words cannot express our shock and sadness at this tragic news, yet we affirm the hope even in our grief. 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

Memorial Service: Saturday, November 22 at 1:00 PM, Bellevue Presbyterian Church. All are welcome to attend. 

10/1: Mission Coworkers Injured in Ethiopia

October 2, 2014 - Presbyterian World Mission is asking for prayers for longtime Presbyterian Mission coworkers Gwen and John Haspels, who were injured Wednesday, October 1, when their car was attacked by armed bandits on a rural road in Ethiopia. Read more...

7/27: Prayers for St. Andrew PC

Please pray for St. Andrew PC (Renton) as they deal with the aftermath of their church being burglarized this week. No one was hurt, but numerous items were stolen. Prayers are also welcomed for other groups who use the building, including various Scouting & community organizations, and Tabernaculo Manantial de Vida. 

7/16: Rev. David A. Norwood Died

Rev. David Norwood was killed on July 16th in a paragliding accident. Rev. David formerly served at Vashon Presbyterian Church (Seattle Presbytery) and Wapato Presbyterian Church. Please keep his family and friends in prayer.

Memorial service: Saturday, July 26 at 1:00 PM at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 4105 Richey Road, Yakima, WA.

The Yakima Herald Republic reported on this tragedy and wrote this about Rev. David:

Friends said Norwood will be remembered as a man who followed his passions and went above and beyond to help others...

News of his death left a somber cloud over Wapato, a rural Lower Yakima Valley city where he not only served as pastor for more than a decade, but also as a volunteer firefighter and a youth pastor at Campbell Farm, a summer camp just west of town.

“It’s just kind of numbing right now,” Campbell Farm Director Carman Pimms said softly during a Thursday telephone interview. “You think, he died doing what he loved doing. He loved paragliding. That free spirit. But it’s tragic. He will be missed in our community.”

Norwood served the Presbyterian Church in Wapato until 2012, and touched the lives of many families, said Jill Ross, a pastor with the Lutheran Church who provided Spanish outreach from an office in Norwood’s church. She worked closely with Norwood to secure a United Way grant for an English as a Second Language program at his church.

She described his sermons as “thoughtful and evocative.” There were five other pastors at his church, and they often gathered to discuss his sermons, she said.

Church member Jaurene Traub said Norwood displayed unconditional love, and warmly welcomed her husband, the late Marlyn Traub, to the church. Her husband was once the pastor of the Wapato Avenue Chapel before changing demographics in town and his ailing health eventually led to his church’s closure, she said.

She said Norwood’s warm welcoming eventually led her husband to become a member of the Presbyterian Church. “Which was something he thought he’d never do,” she said.

Read more online...

6/24: Martha Longbrake Died

Long-time member and leader of Seattle First Presbyterian and Seattle Presbytery, Martha Longbrake, passed away on June 24th after a long struggle with cancer. Martha is survived by her husband, Bill, and children, Derek, Mark, Dorothy, and David. A memorial service will be held July 20th at Seattle First Presbyterian Church at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow the service. Gifts in remembrance of Martha may be made to the Samaritan Center of Puget Sound. Please keep the Longbrake family in your prayers as they grieve this loss and celebrate Martha's life.