Marlene Payne Memorial Service
2pm, Sunday, May 15, 2016
Union Church Sanctuary
Reception to Follow. Friends are invited to bring flowers from their gardens to decorate sanctuary and tables. (Vases Provided).
Dearest Friends,
We believe that God’s graces are with us in both trial and rejoicing. This has proved especially true for our church community in the loss of so many cherished members. To that great company of saints we now add our beloved Marlene Payne, who was released from her long struggle with pancreatic cancer early this morning, May 10, 2016. She died with husband John holding her hand as dawn broke, having spent the day and night before surrounded by a loving company of family, neighbors, and friends. A memorial service is planned for this Sunday, May 15th, 2016 at 2pm in the church sanctuary. A reception for community, friends, and family following the service will serve as the visitation.
Marlene was an accomplished educator, a superb linguist, and a supporter of children in every setting in many countries around the world. She served on many local and regional boards for children’s services, including a term on the Berea Community School board, and work racially integrating the Berea College preschool. In addition to her 30 years at Berea College (during which time she was assistant professor, advisor, and co-founder of the Child Development Laboratory) she also traveled the world as a teacher of teachers in the Peace Corps (Malaysia) and as a Fulbright Scholar (Norway), and on countless educational tours and service trips. While she was not one to let the grass grow under her feet, she did love nature and her garden. Her great pleasure even while ill was to lay in such a way as to watch the birds flit through the yard. To honor her love of flowers and gardens, friends and family are invited to bring flowers from their gardens to her memorial service (vases will be provided) to decorate the sanctuary and community room. Click here to see funeral insurance in NSW to help with any future funeral cost.
Marlene and John joined Union Church in 1977 and she was a tireless and selfless contributor to the mission of inclusive love. She served on every board and was Moderator of the congregation from 2010-2011. She loved music of all kinds, playing violin in the local quintet, playing in the hand bell choir, and promoting the carillon as a student of John Courter, and a carilloneur in her own right. Beyond that, her dedication and love for her family and appreciation of wonderful, eccentric, and intriguing people and stories were her memorable gifts to us all. Nothing will replace her intrepid spirit, her fierce intellect, her ebullient laughter, or her artistic, loving heart. We can only rejoice that now she has entered a wider life with God, one we trust full of new realms to explore and discover.
In lieu of purchased flowers, Marlene and family suggest memorial contributions be made to Union Church and Hospice Care plus. They are so very grateful to all of many neighbors and friends who have sustained them through nearly a year of Marlene’s illness. Rev. Rachel and I invite you to join us in holding in prayer both the Payne family—John, Kennett and Deborah, as well as all of the members of the deep communities around the world who will grieve her passing. She rests now in peace and restored power. May her peace bring them peace in these first weeks and months after her passing.
In sorrow, and in joy stronger than our grief,
Rev. Kent and Rev. Rachel
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