Rev. Constance F. Parvey

PARVEY, The Rev. Constance F. Of Cambridge, MA died at home after a lengthy illness on May 21, 2011. Born Jan. 12, 1931 in Aberdeen, SD to William Robert Parvey and Anna Katherine Dunkel. Survived by a sister, Marjorie Todd of Tulare, CA and several nephews. Pastor Parvey was one of the first women students at Harvard Divinity School, graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1963; she was also the first woman ordained in the Lutheran church in New England. Served as Lutheran Chaplain at University of Wisconsin, Madison from 1963 - 1965. Also served as Associate in College Work from 1955 to 1961 and as Associate Pastor at University Lutheran Church, Cambridge and Lutheran Chaplain at MIT from 1972 to 1978. From 1978 to 1982 she served on the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland, where she directed the pathbreaking Study on the Community of Women and Men in the Church. Taught at Temple University, Dept. of Religion from 1985-1986. From 1989 to 1996 she was the pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Jericho, VT. She returned to the Lutheran-Episcopal Ministry at MIT from 1996 until her retirement in 2001. Served on numerous professional committees, councils, and boards. Author of three books, more than 100 chapters, articles and reviews on topics related to the ecumenical movement, ordained ministry, including the ordination of women, worship, biblical studies, theology, ecclesiology, social ethics and the arts. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. June 28, 2011 at University Lutheran Church in Harvard Square, Cambridge. Donations in Connie's memory may be made to: "Generation to Generation" Endowment Fund, c/o University Lutheran Church, 66 Winthrop Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 or to Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, 700 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230. For obituary, directions or to send an online condolence visit www.keefefuneralhome.com.