For Immediate Release:
West Newton, MA – Fran Clancy has seen it all, after 38 years as the office administrator for the First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton (FUUSN). “Back when I started, I knew nothing and had no one to teach me. I typed everything up and copied it using a mimeograph.” Fran recently announced her retirement as of November 22, 2024.
Since 1986, Fran has served the community through the tenure of ten ministers and a name change from First Unitarian Society of Newton in 2017. Working at FUUSN while raising two daughters alone wasn’t easy. In 1995, the church steeple began to crumble, raining pieces onto the sidewalk below. Fran assisted with a massive capital campaign which raised about $2 million to restore the steeple. More recently, Fran supported FUUSN’s 175th anniversary celebration in 2023.
“In almost four decades of service to our spiritual community, she has loved us deeply and been the solid rock of our congregation’s operations,” said Rev. Joel Miller, one of the two co-ministers at FUUSN.
Devin Shmueli, Director of Family and Community Ministries, added, “She has been an anchor in the congregation, always offering institutional memory to help during staff and ministerial transitions.”
Fran is grateful for the years spent at FUUSN. “Although I don’t consider myself a Unitarian Universalist, after working at FUUSN for 38 years, a lot has rubbed off. You are a remarkable group of caring people, and I was lucky to be a part of your group. Thank you.”
Although Fran is leaving FUUSN, her tenure will be commemorated with a plaque, and her legacy will continue with her successor, Agatha Clancy, Fran’s daughter. FUUSN will miss Fran tremendously and wishes her well in retirement.