In memory of Cynthia L. Prescott (1951-2016)

The Rev. Cynthia Louise Prescott died on May 28th, 2016 at the age of 64.

 

Cynthia was born in Lewiston, ME to William and Barbara Prescott. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Mills College in 1974; and with a Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry in 1997.

 

Rev. Prescott was ordained by the First Universalist Church, Unitarian Universalist, of Auburn, ME in 1998. She served as full-time extension minister to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clemson, SC from 1998 to 2000. In January of 2000, Clemson voted Rev. Prescott as their first, full-time settled minister since their founding in 1954. She served Clemson for twelve years total, and then went on to serve a two year interim ministry with the Neshoba Unitarian Universalist Church of Cordova, TN from 2010 to 2012. From 2012 to 2014, she served as Interim to High Street Church – Unitarian Universalist of Macon, GA. In 2014, she settled as Interim to the Unitarian Universalist Metro Atlanta North Congregation, of Roswell, GA, and she held that role until her death.

 

From 2006 to 2009, Cynthia served the Southeast Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association as a Chapter Leader.

 

Cynthia grew up in the First Universalist Church of Auburn, ME and was born a third generation Unitarian Universalist. She reconnected with the denomination in 1988, and became very involved with First Universalist. She served as chair of the social action committee and President of the Board.

 

Her close friend and colleague, Rev. Johanna Nichols writes, “As President of the Board, Cynthia guided the congregation with political aplomb. I hated losing her to seminary but I rejoiced that we could be colleagues.”

 

Prior to seminary, Cynthia worked in fashion merchandising, marketing, and graphic design. Her passions included travel, cats, literature, poetry, and beautiful things of all kinds.

 

Of Cynthia, her dear friend Holley Ulbrich wrote:

 

Cynthia and I became very close friends within a year of her arrival [to Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clemson]. She, her Dad and I, and my husband Carl traveled together to Nova Scotia and to St. Croix and many points in between.  When her Dad was no longer available and my husband was in declining health, we traveled together, most recently to Venice, returning home the day before her death. She told other friends, who told me after she died, that I was the older sister she always wanted and never had.  Certainly we considered each other sisters.

 

Cynthia is survived by eleven first cousins, Nancy Sylvester, Robert Knowles, Mary Newman, Peter Perkins, Robert Perkins, Jim Chadburn, Ann McFadden, Marjorie Picard, Ann Thurlow, David Thurlow, and Douglas Thurlow. Her father, William Prescott, died on June 23, 2016 at the age of 91.

 

Cynthia’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, July 30 at 1:00 P.M. at Unitarian Universalist Metro Atlanta North, 11420 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA 30075. Celebrations of life were also held in Auburn, ME and Clemson, SC.

 

Memories, condolences and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the following website: www.khrfuneralhomes.com. Condolences may also be sent to Cynthia’s cousin, Nancy Sylvester, 561 Fish Street, Leeds, Maine 04263.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Starr King School for the Ministry, 2441 Le Conte Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709 or Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, 11 Sabattus Street, Lewiston ME 04240.

 

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