Dear FMC Community,
It is with such great sadness that I write this email this morning. Yesterday, we learned that our much loved member Ian Harrington had died suddenly on Sunday, December 24. Ian and Holly have been at the heart of our FMC community for decades and Ian’s presence with us will be greatly missed.
Holly has been in Kentucky to be with her mother who passed away this past Wednesday. Holly had spoken with Ian on Saturday afternoon and became concerned when Ian did not make Peace & Social Justice and Fellowship & Outreach announcements at the end of Meeting for Worship on Sunday morning. She asked the police to do a wellness check and they found that Ian had died on the kitchen floor. There was no sign of a struggle and it seems as though he died quickly and peacefully. His death date has been officially recorded as 12/24/23.
Ian had a steadfast life-long dedication to peace and social justice, helping each year to coordinate the Good Friday Peace Witness and the International Day of Peace, as well as Clerking/Co-Clerking the FMC Committee on Peace and Social Justice for decades. He has also been an active participant in many aspects of Friends Committee on Legislation (FCNL) for decades. Ian and Holly’s presence has also been at the heart of the Family Worship Planning Group ensuring that our Family Worship on the First Sunday of each month brings love and Light to intergenerational worship. He was instrumental in bringing Toussaint Liberator to FMC and getting the drumming circle started. Ian was also currently serving on both Permanent Board and the Board of Managers for New England Yearly Meeting (NEYM). Ian has served on the Clerks Team—most recently as Recording Clerk for the Meeting. In the past Ian also clerked First Day School and Nominating Committees and Ministry and Counsel. Holly and Ian served together on Fellowship & Outreach Committee and have coordinated Thanksgiving and Christmas potlucks for many years as times of fellowship for the community. He has been involved with and touched so many parts of our FMC community over the years, his presence among us has been a blessing we will remember with gratitude.
Please hold Holly in the Light as she makes her way back to Massachusetts, as well as Ian’s son Ellery. We will have opportunities to remember and celebrate Ian’s life over the coming weeks and a hybrid Memorial Meeting for Worship will be scheduled at a later date. There will also be opportunities to support Holly and let her know that she is being held by the community with love and care.
Holding Holly, Ian, and the FMC Community in the Light,
Jan Nisenbaum
Co-Facilitator, Pastoral Care Team
Text amended December 29, 2023.
