Passed on Tuesday, 12 May 2020

The Rev. Ms. Marilyn Rossier passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at her home at Kimball Farms in Lenox, MA.  Marilyn leaves her children: Linda and her husband Arnold; Mark and his wife Ellen; and her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by her husband Stanley and their son, Jay. 

Marilyn was ordained in 1985, and was a member of the First Congregational Church of Lee, MA.  She served on the Massachusetts Conference Nominating Committee from 2007 to 2011.

Marilyn was a registered psychiatric nurse for much of her working life, teaching and guiding many other nursing students in the Boston area. She started taking classes at Boston University School of Theology while working full-time and raising a family, and during a heart-to-heart talk with a professor, she realized her avocation had become a calling. After nearly a decade of part-time study, she was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1985 to become a full-time minister.

Marilyn believed in education and community, and was a tireless volunteer and organizer. She spent years feeding the needy at Bread and Roses in Lawrence, MA and helping her congregations in Medfield and Lynnfield prepare and serve meals for their communities. She and Stan led many church youth group adventures and bible studies for those congregations. The UCC Church, recognizing her rare collection of skills and talents, asked her to serve as an interim minister leading congregations in transition through the process of finding new clergy to serve them.

It could be said, though, that Marilyn's heart truly lived in a tiny cottage called Woody Crest that her father had bought decades ago overlooking Lake Buell in the Berkshires. In their "retirement" she and Stan moved to Lee, MA to be able to spend the summers watching the lake and to throw themselves into the community surrounding the First Congregational Church there. They both served on the Boards of Construct, Inc, helping to build affordable housing, and Gould Farm residential psychiatric treatment center. Marilyn was also a regular answering phones for Volunteers in Medicine in Great Barrington and WAMC's yearly fund drives.

A memorial will be held in the future when it can be done safely due to the pandemic. Donations can be made to for Hospice Care in the Berkshires, care of Kelly Funeral Home in Lee, MA, and the First Congregational Church in Lee, PO Box 395, Lee, MA 01238.

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