Lowell Wentworth
In Memoriam - Lowell Wentworth
A Legacy of Faith and Service: Honoring a Pillar of Our Church Community
Our church family is deeply mourning the recent passing of one of our most dedicated, long-term members, Lowell Wentworth. Lowell entered eternal life on June 26, 2026. For decades, Lowell's presence was a constant source of strength, wisdom, and warmth. While we grieve this profound loss, we also find comfort in celebrating a remarkable life. Lowell leaves behind an enduring legacy that will shape our congregation for generations to come.
A Visionary Leader of Change
True devotion to a church means working to ensure its future. Lowell understood this deeply. An an incredibly active member, he never hesitated to step forward when the church needed leadership. Over the years, Lowell instituted numerous necessary changes and structural improvements that modernized our ministry and enhanced our fellowship. Whether spearheading vital facility upgrades or organizing/suggesting new programs, his forward-thinking approach kept our community vibrant, safe, and welcoming to all.
Loved By All
Beyond his impressive lists of achievements, it was Lowell's character that truly defined him. He was a man who led with love, kindness, and humility. He possessed a rare ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. His infectious spirit lifted our Sundays, and his wise counsel guided us through seasons of challenge. Lowell was, quite simply, loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
An Enduring Legacy
The physical changes Lowell brought to our campus are plain to see. Yet, his truest monument is the loving spirit he instilled in our church culture. He modeled what it means to be a servant-leader. He showed us how to embrace growth while holding fast to our foundational faith.
As we gather in worship, we see Lowell's handiwork everywhere. Venice United Church of Christ is undeniably a better, stronger, and more loving place because of his presence. We extend our deepest prayers to his family, and we pledge to honor his memory by carrying his legacy of love and service forward.
Special Acknowledgement from Pastor John Fairless
I met Lowell during my first term as Interim Pastor at VUCC in 2019. He was still on active duty recording the video for the services, and always impressed me with his diligence and planning. Both he and Alice were still actively attending in those days and my Sunday was always brighter for having the chance to speak with them. During my second term, I visited with Lowell and Alice shortly before her passing. Though communication was difficult with Lowell's loss of hearing, the same gracious spirit came through in the form of written notes we shared. Again, I left encouraged and could only hope that they received some portion of that same encouragement. Venice United Church of Christ is a better place because of the presence of Lowell and Alice Wentworth!
Please leave your memories of Lowell in a comment, so that we as a church community can come together to celebrate Lowell's life.
A Memory of Lowell Wentworth From Barb Quinn
In June 2002, Bob (my late husband) and I attended worship at VUCC for the first time. We still had 3 more years left to work before retirement, but we had bought a condo at the Plantation in Venice with the idea of renting it out before we retired here as snowbirds. We thought we would check out the local UCC while we were here working on the condo.
It was a low-attendance (quite low back then) summer Sunday, the minister was on sabbatical, and a quartet of handbell ringers provided some special music. We sat in a pew with only one other occupant…Lowell Wentworth. (Alice Wentworth was one of the ringers, so she was sitting elsewhere that day.)
Immediately upon the closing of the worship service, Lowell came over to us, introduced himself, told us about the recent renovation of the front of the sanctuary (to the way it looks now), and invited us on a tour of the 4 main buildings. He was obviously very proud of being a VUCC member, and I believe he was the head of the renovation project, or maybe deeply involved in it.
After the tour, Lowell took us to Fellowship Time in Naar Hall and introduced us to David and Caryl Duffy and Russ and Edie White. Everyone was so friendly and genuinely glad to visit with us that we were hooked. We knew that we had found a church home for our future retirement.
If Lowell had not approached us right after the worship service, we would have left immediately just as any other “new people” would do. We most likely would have returned for another service in the future, but not with the same feeling of belonging that we carried with us from that day’s experience. Lowell was the catalyst, and the rest is history.
Our church family is deeply mourning the recent passing of one of our most dedicated, long-term members, Lowell Wentworth. Lowell entered eternal life on June 26, 2026. For decades, Lowell's presence was a constant source of strength, wisdom, and warmth. While we grieve this profound loss, we also find comfort in celebrating a remarkable life. Lowell leaves behind an enduring legacy that will shape our congregation for generations to come.
A Visionary Leader of Change
True devotion to a church means working to ensure its future. Lowell understood this deeply. An an incredibly active member, he never hesitated to step forward when the church needed leadership. Over the years, Lowell instituted numerous necessary changes and structural improvements that modernized our ministry and enhanced our fellowship. Whether spearheading vital facility upgrades or organizing/suggesting new programs, his forward-thinking approach kept our community vibrant, safe, and welcoming to all.
Loved By All
Beyond his impressive lists of achievements, it was Lowell's character that truly defined him. He was a man who led with love, kindness, and humility. He possessed a rare ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. His infectious spirit lifted our Sundays, and his wise counsel guided us through seasons of challenge. Lowell was, quite simply, loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
An Enduring Legacy
The physical changes Lowell brought to our campus are plain to see. Yet, his truest monument is the loving spirit he instilled in our church culture. He modeled what it means to be a servant-leader. He showed us how to embrace growth while holding fast to our foundational faith.
As we gather in worship, we see Lowell's handiwork everywhere. Venice United Church of Christ is undeniably a better, stronger, and more loving place because of his presence. We extend our deepest prayers to his family, and we pledge to honor his memory by carrying his legacy of love and service forward.
Special Acknowledgement from Pastor John Fairless
I met Lowell during my first term as Interim Pastor at VUCC in 2019. He was still on active duty recording the video for the services, and always impressed me with his diligence and planning. Both he and Alice were still actively attending in those days and my Sunday was always brighter for having the chance to speak with them. During my second term, I visited with Lowell and Alice shortly before her passing. Though communication was difficult with Lowell's loss of hearing, the same gracious spirit came through in the form of written notes we shared. Again, I left encouraged and could only hope that they received some portion of that same encouragement. Venice United Church of Christ is a better place because of the presence of Lowell and Alice Wentworth!
Please leave your memories of Lowell in a comment, so that we as a church community can come together to celebrate Lowell's life.
A Memory of Lowell Wentworth From Barb Quinn
In June 2002, Bob (my late husband) and I attended worship at VUCC for the first time. We still had 3 more years left to work before retirement, but we had bought a condo at the Plantation in Venice with the idea of renting it out before we retired here as snowbirds. We thought we would check out the local UCC while we were here working on the condo.
It was a low-attendance (quite low back then) summer Sunday, the minister was on sabbatical, and a quartet of handbell ringers provided some special music. We sat in a pew with only one other occupant…Lowell Wentworth. (Alice Wentworth was one of the ringers, so she was sitting elsewhere that day.)
Immediately upon the closing of the worship service, Lowell came over to us, introduced himself, told us about the recent renovation of the front of the sanctuary (to the way it looks now), and invited us on a tour of the 4 main buildings. He was obviously very proud of being a VUCC member, and I believe he was the head of the renovation project, or maybe deeply involved in it.
After the tour, Lowell took us to Fellowship Time in Naar Hall and introduced us to David and Caryl Duffy and Russ and Edie White. Everyone was so friendly and genuinely glad to visit with us that we were hooked. We knew that we had found a church home for our future retirement.
If Lowell had not approached us right after the worship service, we would have left immediately just as any other “new people” would do. We most likely would have returned for another service in the future, but not with the same feeling of belonging that we carried with us from that day’s experience. Lowell was the catalyst, and the rest is history.
6 Comments
Do pictures of members’ “home” churches still hang in Naar Hall? Members would submit pictures. Lowell would clean them up, removing random wires and other distractions, straightening odd tilts, making every place look good. Then he’d hang them, together with name plates. I found the display most interesting.
Lol was one of the few pillars of the church during the trouble some time of 95 and 96 when the congregation was quite split. I came as the interim minister during that., And found lol to be right in the middle holding both sides together he was a huge help to me as I and my wife tried to bring the two sides to love each other again as they each all love the Lord. Was the chairperson of the committee to revamp the sanctuary and he and Alice became very good friends. Years later when I came back after serving other churches, I found them still active and a vital part of the congregation. I especially enjoyed it photography and putting pictures of all the churches of members around our hall.
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nHe also had a sense of humor and well often. Send me a possible joke for sermon. Always a good taste, of course. An astounding and outstanding Christian layman. Submitted by The Rev., Dr. Larry Washburn.
In 2018 church services, and only church services, were recorded on DVDs. When Mary Lou, my sister, died, I wanted a recording of her memorial service for my niece who had ALS and could no longer travel. Lowell recorded church services alone every week, and he came in for her service. My niece was able to see it.
When I first attended VUCC, both Lowell and Alice were among the first friendly faces in the congregation. Lowell with his quiet smile and Alice talkative and welcoming. Lowell always in the sound booth….recording the service for several shut ins. We all appreciate the time and talent Lowell provided for the photographs of “home” churches decorating Naar Hall. Lowell and Alice also shared a meal with me in Wisconsin while visiting relatives. He will be missed, but is now is reunited with Alice.
Lowell was such a gracious, generous gentleman. Shortly after I first met him in 2014, I showed him a picture of a shore bird at sunset that I hoped to enlarge to hang in my house. When I mentioned that I wished it were possible to make two copies with the birds facing each other, he excitedly exclaimed that he could do that! I
nwas amazed at his eagerness and enthusiasm since we were very new acquaintances. They hung handsomely as a lasting memory of his kindness.
Thanks to those who take care of this blog for the beautiful overview of Lowell’s giving life and to our members who submitted additional remembrances. Much of what I could add has already been said by you. I will only add that I first came to know Lowell when he was 90. At our Saturday men’s breakfasts when we went around the table offering updates on our lives, I was deeply moved when he spoke about Alice and his love for her, and at that time how concerned he was that he could no longer care adequately for her when he drove with her to New England and then made the long trip back to Venice each year, and sadly noted that he would no longer be doing so. His love for Alice was but one part of his remarkable life, but certainly the most important, and a powerful example to all of us who knew him of the devotion every spouse should have.