In Memory of Rev. Sandra Douglass Fitz-Henry (1939-2025)

We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Sandra “Sandy” Douglass Fitz-Henry, who passed away on July 8, 2025, at the age of 85.

Sandy was born on November 23, 1939, in Boston, MA, to Olive (Polly) Eveleth Bowditch and David Langston McVickar. The eldest of three daughters, she grew up in a liberal, intellectual, and artistic family. She spent her early years in Rochester, NY, followed by Nashville, TN, before the family settled in Malibu, CA. Sandy attended Reed College, OR, where she met her future husband, Terry Fitz-Henry, and earned her Bachelor of Arts. In her early career, Sandy enjoyed teaching art classes to children and adults. She found great satisfaction in fostering creativity in people of all ages and encouraged the search for meaningful expression. Early in their marriage, Sandy and her husband both taught at the International People’s College in Helsingør, Denmark, and she also studied painting under Arnold Schifrin in Los Angeles.

In 1970, Sandy moved with her husband to Oneonta, NY, where they raised three children. In the early 1980s, the family began attending services at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta. Sandy soon became actively involved in congregational life, joining the Religious Education Committee. In 1982, she was hired as the congregation’s Director of Religious Education. She excelled in this role, effectively recruiting and working with teachers, researching curriculum, presenting to the RE committee, and drawing out creativity from its members. She empowered the RE Committee in their decision-making role and worked closely with children in a variety of creative church-school projects.

In 1990, Sandy chose to attend Harvard Divinity School, a natural outgrowth of her commitment to living out her faith. She retired from her position as RE Director in 1992 to pursue her ministerial studies. She felt called to shape her ministry according to the values and principles of the UU tradition, freedom of thought, the search for truth, and a spiritual community rooted in justice and compassion. In 1995, she received her Master of Divinity degree. 

The Rev. Fitz-Henry was ordained on June 4, 1995, by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Binghamton, NY. Her first ministry was as interim minister at the UU Fellowship of Centre County, in State College, PA (1995−1996). During her year of ministry there, she fostered fellowship growth and championed positive, forward-looking activity in the congregation. In 1996, she was called to the Murray UU Church, in Attleboro, MA, where she would serve for sixteen years until 2012. Her ministry was characterized by dedication to congregational life and deep care for her community. In recognition of her service, in 2012, the Murray Church honored her as their minister emerita.

The Rev. Fitz-Henry was among one of the most dedicated Unitarian Universalists, both professionally and personally. She served the denomination with unwavering loyalty and commitment. She was a fascinating storyteller, and every service she led was meticulously crafted. She actively empowered people to live spiritually, to seek truth in their lives, and to live in connection with each other. She encouraged her parishioners to find and give comfort within their religious community, to challenge each other and themselves, and to strive for a better world. 

She was the recipient of the first Olympia Brown Scholarship, awarded by the St. Lawrence Foundation for Theological Education, for her essay “The Future of Women in Unitarian Universalist Ministry” (1994). She was also a member of the Liberal Ministers of the Delaware Valley (1995).

Sandy found joy in listening to music, singing in choirs, and playing instruments. She had a deep love for the outdoors, swimming, walking and hiking, camping, kayaking, and tending her garden. She was also a prolific painter and an expressive visual artist throughout her life, working in oil, watercolor, etching, and many other artforms.

Sandy is survived by her children: Katherine (David), Erin (Victoria), and Matthew; her grandchildren: Kalyn, Devin, Colin, and Charlotte; her sister, Mole Schaefer (Tom); her dear friend, Carol Waldeier; her cat companion, Nicky; as well as her nieces, nephews, and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Terry Fitz-Henry.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sandy’s name may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Association. 

Notes of condolence can be written here.