Tari Lennon
Tari Lennon, 76, died peacefully at her home in Palm Springs on Oct. 20, 2011. An ordained minister, spiritual guide, activist, seminar speaker, discussion facilitator, world traveler, opera lover, partner, mother, grandmother, friend, mentor and lifelong supporter of the arts, Dr. Lennon was a dynamic force of nature whose energy, intellect and humor inspired and touched many during her long and very abundant life.
She was born on Dec. 14, 1934, in Oak Park, Ill. She graduated from Dennison University in Granville, Ohio, and earned her master of divinity degree at Union Theological Seminary in New York. She was an ordained minister with the United Church of Christ, and from 1958-1964 was minister of education at First Congregational Church of Darien, Conn.
After moving to California in 1965, Dr. Lennon worked for seven years as a probation officer with the Los Angeles County Probation Department. In 1972, she became senior pastor at Church of the Oaks in Thousand Oaks, where she served for 17 years. While in that position, she earned her doctor of divinity degree at The Claremont School of Theology. In 1991, she was named senior pastor at Neighborhood Congregational Church in Laguna Beach, and served there for 12 years.
Upon her retirement from the church in 2003, Dr. Lennon traveled extensively, and facilitated seminars and workshops through her organization, Open Gatherings, which conducted events in Laguna Beach, Idyllwild, and Palm Springs. She was also a Palm Springs Art Museum docent.
She is survived by Norma McCarty, her partner of 22 years; a daughter, Hope Watterson; and grandchildren Chloe and Colin, of Santa Clarita. She also leaves behind her sister and brother-in-law, Corinne and Mike Claybaugh, of Monument, Colo.; her beloved pets, Cooper and Blue; and more friends than one could possibly count.
A memorial service celebrating her remarkable life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at The Church of St. Paul in the Desert, 125 West El Alameda, Palm Springs. Donations honoring Dr. Lennon’s memory may be made to Bloom in the Desert Ministries, 3155 E. Ramon Rd., Box 802, Palm Springs, CA 92264.
Larry Allison
Larry Allison, Sr., a resident of Laguna Beach since 1998, and a long time editor of the Long Beach Press Telegram, died after a battle with pneumonia. Allison was 77.
He is survived by his wife Patricia, son Larry, Jr, also a Laguna Beach resident, brothers Lew, Brian, Mike and Jack and sister Helene.
Allison, a third generation journalist, loved the profession, and worked until this latest illness became too much two weeks ago, according to brother Jack, of Laguna Niguel.
Allison began with the Press Telegram as a copy assistant in the mid 1950s, and left only for short duties at sister publications. He won many journalism awards, including his selection as a Neiman Fellow, which included a yearʼs work at Harvard University.
A public memorial will be held at the Long Beach convention Center Ballroom Thursday, Nov. 17, at 3:30 p.m.
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