Death of Naida Sutch, former missionary in South Africa
1922 – 2010
Global Ministries is saddened to learn that Reverend Naida Sutch passed away of natural causes on August 17, 2010, in her Yellow Springs, Ohio home. She was most recently a member of Highlands United Church of Chriest in Springfield, Ohio.
Born on September 23, 1922, in Shelburn, Indiana, Naida graduated from Taylor University in 1945 and from Oberlin (Ohio) Graduate School of Theology in 1953. She received her Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary (New York) in 1961, and was ordained by the United Church of Christ in 1971.
From 1961 to 1965 Naida served as a teacher and chaplain at Inanda Seminary in South Africa, a boarding school for girls. She also worked at Pastoral Psychology Service Institute (Cleveland, Ohio) and numerous other educational opportunities.
Naida was Associate Association Minister for the Northern Area of the Southwest Ohio Northern Kentucky Association (SONKA) from 1983 to 1988. She also served as Interim Association Minister for Central Southeast Association and Moderator of the Western Reserve Association, Ohio Conference, United Church of Christ. She served as pastor and interim pastor in many SONKA churches, including Plattsburg United Church of Christ and St. John’s in Germantown, sometimes with her husband, Reverend Malcolm (“Mac”) Gillespie. Naida was a former member of the Board of Directors for United Church Homes.
Naida leaves behind her husband, Mac, two stepchildren, a foster daughter, four grandsons, and a large extended family who will miss her terribly.
Naida donated her body to the Wright State University Medical School.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, August 21, 2010, at Friends Care Nursing Home in Yellow Springs, where Mac is currently rehabilitating after several health concerns.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Naida’s name can be sent to United Church Homes, 170 E. Center Street, Marion, OH 43302, or Friends Care Nursing Home, 150 E Herman St., Yellow Springs, OH, 45387.
Messages of condolence can be sent to Reverend Malcom E. Gillespie, 5 Aspen Court, Yellow Springs, OH 45387-1651.