In Memory of Mary Louise DeWolf (April 4, 1931 – April 26, 2022)
Rev. Mary Louise DeWolf died on April 26, 2022, at the age of 91.
Mary was born on April 4, 1931, in Crescent City, FL to Nettie Louise (Holley) DeWolf and Levant Prior DeWolf, Sr., she was the last of four children. A strong achiever since her early years, Mary was valedictorian of her class in high school and an outstanding athlete. She attended the Methodist church with her mother and her sisters while her brother, the oldest, traveled twenty-five miles to attend the nearest Christian Science church with her father.
Mary received her Bachelor of Science in Education (1952) and Master of Education in Science Education (1954) from the University of Florida. From 1953 to 1988, she worked in public and community school education and a denominational mid-judicatory position. In the second year of her high school science teaching (1955), she left the Methodist church for the Unitarian church, primarily because she needed a religion that did not conflict with science. Thereafter, the church became the focus of her religious and social life. Her religious and spiritual interests provided her with a source of meaning and purpose in life.
Mary’s sense of ministry came into being after her marriage to her second husband, Rev. John DeWolf-Hurt. From 1988 to 1996, she served two terms as a Co-District Executive, in Florida & the Mid-South along with her husband. She undertook wide responsibilities that included administrative tasks and the facilitation of groups in decision-making and conflict management. Her awareness of issues and solutions related to growth, and her work with the district New Congregation Committee helped produce growth in the congregations served and jump-start new ones, such as the UU Church in the Pines, FL.
In 1996, the unexpected death of Rev. DeWolf-Hurt from pancreatic cancer awakened Mary’s desire to fulfill and serve in parish ministry. She decided to complete the ministerial preparation that she had begun in 1991. She increased her participation in the local congregation, most notably giving sermons and planning and moderating congregational meetings. She pursued several professional and theological courses at Meadville Lombard Theological School equivalent to a Master of Divinity that would enable her to continue in her own right the work she had been doing with her husband. She wanted to gain a deeper understanding of both the work of ministry and the people of ministry. In 2001, she graduated with her Master of Arts in Religious Education from the University of South Florida.
Rev. DeWolf was ordained to the UU ministry on June 3, 2001, by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Marion County, FL. After ordination, she served in the parish at the Nature Coast Unitarian Universalist (NCUU), Lecanto, FL (2003-2009). She represented NCUU at the North Sun coast Ministers’ Association and was elected as Vice President. She focused on using non-confrontational and consensus-building strategies in addressing problems among members and/or staff within the congregation. Her experience influenced her to help establish and conduct leadership development programs so that the trainees could help prevent, minimize, and resolve problems within congregations. She also offered classes to the newer members and soon-to-be members regarding UU History and made it a point to speak personally to visitors on Sundays. She valued diversity and encouraged members to espouse diversity. In 2009, Rev. DeWolf retired from her active ministry. Her considerable energies, skills, and presence contributed to a successful and productive ministry at the NCUU; in 2010 she was honored as their minister emerita.
Rev. DeWolf was a Field Advisor for the Meadville/Lombard Modified Residency Program and a member and elected secretary of the Florida Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association (FUUMA) (2005-2008). She served as a Co-founder of the UU Fellowship of Valdosta, GA, and was invited to speak at their 40th Anniversary Celebration. Likewise, she was also a highly acclaimed speaker by congregations in many parts of Florida. Her presence in the pulpit was powerful and her sermons focused on social justice issues including family values, gay marriage, and freedom and morality. One of her sermons: “Love and Commitment” was posted on the Freedom to Marry website.
As a respected faith leader of the community, Mary served as Vice President of The Greater Ocala Ministerial Association and an elected Vice President of the North Suncoast Ministers Association. She was a member of and was involved with the Florida District’s Southwest Cluster and the Interfaith Council of Citrus County. Strongly interested in civility in political campaigns, she also served as a treasurer of the Northcentral Florida multi-racial Interfaith Alliance.
Mary is survived by her sister, Grace D. Trice of Ocala, FL; step-son Gifford Campbell, and wife Michele of Salem, MA; step-son Randy Hurt, and wife Kathy of Ellijay, GA; and nine nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob in 2015.
A memorial service was held on June 4, 2022, at Roberts Downtown Chapel, 606 SW 2nd Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Hospice of Marion County, 3231 SW 34th Ave, Ocala, FL 34474, or to the Nature Coast Unitarian Universalist, 7633 N Florida Ave, Citrus Springs, FL 34434.
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