Rev. Dr. Elizabeth May Strong

Ashby

The Reverend Dr. Elizabeth May Strong, 80, of Ashby, MA died on Saturday March 20, 2021. Born and raised in Schuyler Lake, NY, her parents, Ashley Walter Strong and Marie Elizabeth Miller Strong, had a five-year-old son, John, when the twins – Elizabeth and Barbara – were born.

Liz attended Syracuse University where she met and married James F. Taylor. She graduated with a BA in Liberal Arts in '62 and started a family. They lived in Ohio briefly before settling in Pittsford, NY. In the mid-70's Liz and Jim separated and divorced, and Liz started working at First Unitarian Church, Rochester, in Religious Education. She returned to school, graduating from Nazareth College in '78 with a Masters in Elementary Education; and then from the UUA Independent Studies Program in '83 for Ministry of Religious Education. She was ordained in 1983 and served First Unitarian for 5 years.

In 1888, Rev. Strong moved to Syracuse to serve May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society as Minister of Religious Education, a post she held for 13 years. During that time, she earned her Doctor of Ministry from Meadville Lombard Theological School. Soon after, Dr. Strong moved to the Boston area to serve the Mass Bay UU District as their Religious Education Program Consultant – a position she held for 7 years. In 2008, she served as quarter-time interim parish minister in the First Parish Church of Ashby, MA. She was named Minister Emerita by that congregation in 2010.

In her retirement, Liz continued to be an active presenter, mentor, and writer in the areas of Unitarian Universalist history, Universalist theology, and Religious Education. Over her career, she has received multiple honors and awards including: Larry Axel Award for Excellence in Teaching; NOW Woman of Achievement in Religion; Angus MacLean Award for Excellence in Religious Education; and The Heart of Universalism. Along with various UU curricula, pamphlets, and essays, she is known for her 2004 book The Larger Message.

Liz had undergone multiple orthopedic surgeries throughout her adult life. The most significant being a full spinal fusion in the late -80s, followed by various shoulder, hip, knee and other surgeries as the years progressed. These medical difficulties were daunting, but her faith, resilience, and determination were greater.

Liz was an avid bridge player in her middle years, a longtime fan of Star Trek, and in her later years an avid Red Sox fan. As an adult, she always had one or more cats living with her. She is known to have loved butterflies and was never without pictures of her grandchildren – all ten of whom she adored!

Rev. Dr. Liz Strong is survived by John Strong (brother), Barbara Strong Vertucci (sister) and spouse Jim, David Taylor (son) and spouse Lori, Shari Taylor-Lascano (daughter) and spouse Joe, Kathleen Taylor-Wallen (daughter) and spouse Joe, and Douglas Taylor (son) and spouse Sidra. Also grandchildren: Rowan, Mikela, Asher; Hannah and spouse Michael, Ashley; Aaron, John; Brin, Keenan, and Piran.

A memorial service will occur live on Zoom on Saturday May 8th. Contact Douglas Taylor at dtaylor@uubinghamton.org for details. In lieu of flowers, please make donations either to Planned Parenthood https://www.plannedparenthood.org/ or the Unitarian Universalist Association https://www.uua.org/



View the online memorial for Rev. Dr. Elizabeth May Strong