In Memory . . . Rev. Laurel Sheridan (1940-2008)

It is with a sense of loss that the Ministry and Professional Leadership Staff Group inform you of the death of the Reverend Laurel S. Sheridan. She died on May 15, 2008following a hospitalization for numerous ailments. She was 67.

Reverend Sheridan was born in Boston, MA on July 9, 1940 to Solomon Siegan and Gertrude Stone Siegan. She attended Simmons College in Boston for a year before entering Children’s Hospital School of Nursing where she earned an R. N. in 1962. After graduation, Rev. Sheridan worked at Lying-In Hospital in Boston. When her children were young, Rev. Sheridan worked part-time as a nurse, teaching natural childbirth education. Upon her return to formal hospital work, she became disenchanted with what she perceived as a lack of focus on patient care in favor of a focus on technology. In 1978 she received a B.A. in Communications from Bridgewater State College and as her commitment to ministry developed, Rev. Sheridan entered Andover Newton Theological School, earning an M. Div. in 1982.

Rev. Sheridan was ordained by The First Parish Church of Duxbury, Massachusetts on September 19, 1982. She served The First Church in Barre, Vermont, The First Universalist Church in Bangor, Maine, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before returning to Massachusetts to serve the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Braintree for 10 years, from 1987 to 1997. Rev. Sheridan then served First Parish Universalist in Canton, Massachusetts and while there became seriously ill and physically disabled. In spite of these challenges, Rev. Sheridan continued to preach part-time while her health allowed. 

Survivors include her husband, Terence Sheridan as well as her children, Holly Sakariason and partner Bethie Stoller, Julie Romero and husband Robert Romero, and Alison Sakariason. She also leaves five grandchildren: Samuel, Max, Rebecca, Myles, and Sarah.

A service to honor Rev. Sheridan’s life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson, AZ on August 9, 2008. Rev. Diane Dowgiert will officiate. Donations in honor of Rev. Sheridan may be made to Star Island Annual Fund, 10 Vaughan Mall, Suite 8, Portsmouth, NH 03801. 

Please send messages of condolence to Mr. Terence Sheridan at 6250 S. Commerce Ct. #1110, Tucson, AZ 85746 and Ms. Holly Sakariason, 322 E. 30th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364.