In memory of Rebecca M. Blodgett (1933-2017)

The Rev. Rebecca “Becky” Morton Blodgett, died on August 12, 2017 at the age of 84.

 

Becky was born on April 16, 1933 in St. Paul, MN to parents John and Helen Driscoll. She graduated from Vassar College in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts in Geology and Conservation, following which she and her husband, Timothy Blodgett, started a family in Concord, MA. While her children were young, Becky was a dedicated volunteer to many organizations—including Planned Parenthood, the American Red Cross, Concord Family Services, and the First Parish in Concord. Later in life, she discerned her call to ministry, and earned her Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School in 1989.

 

Rev. Blodgett was ordained on March 17, 1991 by her home congregation: the First Parish in Concord, MA. Becky’s calling was chaplaincy—a pastoral ministry “Beyond the Walls of the Meetinghouse” (the title of her senior essay at HDS). Rev. Blodgett’s vital community ministry led her to serve as a hospice chaplain at several Boston-area nursing homes and hospitals, including Mass. General Hospital. From 1996 to 1997 she served as Interim Assistant Minister to the Concord congregation, after which they named Becky an Affiliate Minister. Though continuing her chaplaincy work, she would often return to the church: performing wedding ceremonies and memorial services, training lay leaders, preaching from time to time, and offering pastoral counseling.  Rev. Blodgett retired in 2002.

 

Outside of her ministry, Rev. Blodgett served for a time as a Board Member of the UUA’s Church of the Larger Fellowship. In her spare time, Becky fostered a powerful love of music: singing, playing the piano, and appreciating classical music and opera. Always placing deep value in nature, she enjoyed going on walks and birding. And she adored travelling abroad. But most of all, Becky treasured time spent with her children and grandchildren.

 

In 1995, Rev. Blodgett offered this stirring and inspiring insight into the esteemed service she provided as a hospice chaplain:

 

As a chaplain I hear people’s stories and offer them the opportunity to express their fears, anger, concerns, grief, hopes and joys. An attempt is made to create a safe space where confession and tears and prayers may be commingled, held, and honored, and where the possibility of reconciliation may be glimpsed. … As a chaplain I represent a loving, gracious, and caring God who is present in suffering. I seek ways to encourage people to find and nurture the seeds of hope and faith and healing within themselves and in partnership with God. 

 

She is survived by husband of 61 years Timothy Blodgett; children Sarah Blodgett, Amy Walker (Jonathan), Jeffrey Blodgett (Emily), and Katherine Duffy; eight grandchildren; and brothers Frederick and Andrew Driscoll.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Concord Free Public Library, 129 Main St, Concord, MA 01742, in support of children’s services.

 

A memorial service was held on Friday, September 29th at First Parish in Concord.

 

Notes of condolence can be sent to First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Road, Concord, MA 01742.

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