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It is with a sad and heavy heart that I must
announce the death of Amby Holford. Amby holds a dear place in
our hearts and the history of our little church. After years as
director of Choral Music at the University of Tennessee he found
his way to Roswell and UUMAN with his beautiful wife Jeannie. At
the young age of 82, he helped form the first UUMAN choir and
continued to lead us until his retirement 4 years ago. Even
after he retired (again) he continued to sing with the choir and
at his home Christian Science Church. Our music program is here
because of Amby and his dedication and belief in us.
But it wasn’t just UUMAN that was blessed
by Amby and his love for music. Simply “Google” him and you can
see the lists of people who were touched by him as a vocal
mentor and friend. Our own Music Director, Randy Wilbur followed
in Amby’s footsteps at the University of Tennessee. It is a
small, but beautiful world we live in, and I know we all feel
our lives are better because Amby was a part of it. Our Messiah
Concert on Saturday will be a fitting tribute to the man who
gave so much to us in so many ways.
As we move through this time together,
please remember Jeannie and their extended family in your
thoughts and prayers, and when you sit in UUMAN the next time,
if you listen closely, you’ll be able to hear his voice ringing
in our hearts and our little church, and you will remember his
voice telling you that the whole place and all the people in it
are evidence of divine Love in action. Amby believed God is
Love, and if you spent any time in his presence, you could see
evidence of it in every conversation!
- Randy Blasch, 30 November,
2007 |