In Memoriam
Mary Carol Edwards 1924-2013
T
Spiritual Seeker, Wise Woman BY R E V. B E T S W I E N E C K E
he Rev. Dr. Mary Carol Edwards, a
tor to many men and women preparing for spiritual seeker and wise woman, the Unitarian Universalist (UU) ministry. She died peacefully on August 22, 2013, served as president of the Unitarian Univerin a hospice in Abingdon, Virginia. A salist Liberal Religious Educators Association curious and grateful student of life, her lifelong from 1985-87. Carol retired from professional ministry desire to learn and grow served as an example to others. Carol was a courageous, compassion- in 1994. That didn’t diminish her concern for ate soul who once wrote that her deepest anger the well-being of children, especially those in concerned the lack of care expressed for chil- low-income families. She served as a member dren in our culture, followed closely by the lack of the Santa Barbara County Human Services of care for our home planet. And yet she was a Commission and volunteered with the Santa deeply joyous lover of life and people. Her life’s Barbara Family Care Center. She continued work was dedicated to teaching religious eduand guided by a deep cation classes as a volunreverence for the natuteer with the lucky chilral world and love of dren of Live Oak UU children, all grounded Congregation in Goleta in a delightful, irreverand encouraged the forent sense of humor. mation of the Song Tree Carol was born, concerts there. She loved to garthree days before Christmas, and raised den and sail while she in Pacific Palisades. She had the mobility and credited growing up in energy; sing; read; the natural beauty of attend movies, choral, the Palisades with her and symphony orchesdeep passion and contra concerts; and travel with friends. She was cern for protecting and preserving the natural one of those people environment. who watched C-SPAN Carol began fullreligiously and then told you about it. time work when she was 16 and established EVERGREEN LIFE: Rev. Dr. Carol Edwards’s In 2003, Carol moved a career when most love of life, sailing, and children extended to Abingdon, Virginia, women were stay-at- to her work with the Unitarian Universalist where she helped churches in Goleta and Santa Barbara. home housewives. Her develop the guiding love of children drew principles for an intenher to teach and then direct an early-educa- tional cohousing community, ElderSpirit tion children’s program in Santa Monica. She Community at Trailview, and became one of received her formal training in human devel- its first residents. She continued her involveopment and education at the Pacific Oaks Col- ment in environmental and community affairs lege in Pasadena and the Starr King School for in Abingdon. Over the years, Carol’s declining energy created a growing desire for simplicthe Ministry in Berkeley. She was an active member of the Unitar- ity in her life, and “keep it simple” became her ian Universalist Community Church of Santa motto. This extended to her spiritual life, and Monica before being hired as their Director during her last few years, she became a Quaker. of Religious Education. Carol’s intuitive and Carol was so pleased and proud of her late honest pastoral presence and her belief in the son, Kenny Edwards, a songwriter and singer, interrelatedness of people, place, and events — who worked with many musicians including in the power of community — accompanied by Linda Ronstadt and was a mentor to young her gracious ministerial leadership, convinced musicians in the area. Her two husbands, the congregation to take the unusual step of Kenneth Clyde Edwards and Robert V. Stern; ordaining Carol as their Minister of Religious her parents, Henry John Keller and Dorothy Education. In 1988, she was called as the Min- Loughton Penniman Keller; and a brother, Wilister of Religious Education for the Unitar- liam Keller, also predeceased her. ian Society of Santa Barbara. Her enthusiasm A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at and love of life and children were contagious. 3 p.m., Sunday, October 6, at the Live Oak UniShe ministered to all ages and was a masterful tarian Universalist Congregation, North facilitator and creative leader and innovator Fairview Avenue in Goleta. who worked to end the segregation of children In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in and adults so prevalent in our culture. She was Carol’s name may be made to Heal the Ocean, a member of the Interfaith Clergy group and PO Box , Santa Barbara, CA , or coordinated the first AIDS Memorial Service the Head Start Program c/o the Community of Hope and Healing held at the Unitarian Action Commission of Santa Barbara, Society. Hollister Avenue, Suite , Goleta, CA . In 1991, she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Starr King School for the Ministry Rev. Bets Wienecke is a minister emerita for her outstanding work as a pioneering Min- with the Live Oak Unitarian Universalist ister of Religious Education and was a men- Congregation.
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THE INDEPENDENT
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