Rev. Michele Edwards Passes Away

06-17-2013

It saddens me to share the news with the broader McCormick community that at approximately 1:40 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2013, the Reverend Michele Y. Edwards, Communications Coordinator at McCormick Theological Seminary, died due to complications related to her recently diagnosed cancer. 

I and a small group of gathered family and friends were with Michele when she passed away peacefully and quietly at Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She was surrounded by love when she went on to be with our Lord.

The Reverend Michele Y. Edwards joined the staff of McCormick Theological Seminary in February of 2012. Those who knew her well describe her as having a wonderful laugh and a contagiously positive spirit. She received her Master of Divinity degree from McCormick in 2011. While a student, she was a co-moderator of the Pan African Student Organization, a student member of the Board of Trustees, and served on the Presidential Search Committee. Michele’s background was in communications and public relations. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wayne State University. She had served as a lay leader at Plymouth United Church of Christ before she was ordained in the denomination in July, 2012. Most recently, she was Associate Minister at University Church, Chicago in Hyde Park, Illinois.

Michele Edwards was our sister in Christ, a minister of the good news, our colleague, and our friend. We are thankful for the time that we were able to spend with her even as we are struggling with her sudden departure from this life.

We give thanks for the life of the Reverend Michele Y. Edwards. We will update this post when we know more information about final arrangements.

A Memorial Tribute Page for Michele has been posted on the website of University Church, where Michele served. Please share your thoughts and memories in the comments section provided there.

In Christ’s peace,

Frank Yamada, President
McCormick Theological Seminary

Service details:

There will  be a funeral service this Saturday, June 22, 2013, at Plymouth United Church of Christ in Detroit, MI (600 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, Michigan, 48201). The wake will be at 12:00 p.m. and the funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m.

There will be a memorial service on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at University Church in Hyde Park (5655 S. University Ave., Chicago, IL, 60637). The service will begin at 6:00 p.m.