The Washington Post - 06.09.2019

B6 EZ RE THE WASHINGTON POST.FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 , 2019

men and women.”

Alison Mary Western was born

April 11, 1927, in Adelaide, Aus-

tralia, and grew up on her fam-

ily’s fruit farm.

She graduated from the Uni-

versity of Adelaide in 1947 and

married her economics profes-

sor, Bruce Mansfield Cheek. They

settled in the Washington area

when he took a job with the

World Bank.

At St. Alban’s in Annandale,

the parish priest, John R. Frizzell

Jr., encouraged Alison Cheek’s

budding interest in theology. She

received a master of divinity

from the Virginia Theological

Seminary in 1969.

In addition to her duties at St.

Stephen, Rev. Cheek had a pasto-

ral counseling practice. After her

husband died in 1977, she became

a priest at a church in Philadel-

phia. She later helped advance

the movement for female priests

in Australia and moved to Cam-

bridge, Mass., where she received

a doctorate in ministry from the

Episcopal Divinity School in 1990

and directed its program in femi-

nist liberation studies.

In 1996, she became a counsel-

or and teacher at the Greenfire

Community and Retreat Center

in Tenants Harbor, Maine, where

she also served as a priest. She

retired in 2013 and moved to

North Carolina.

Survivors include four chil-

dren, Bruce Malcolm Cheek of

Lexington, Ky., Jonathan Cheek

of Wellesley, Mass., Timothy

Cheek of Vancouver, B.C., and

Bronwen Cheek of Santa Fe,

N.M.; five grandchildren; and

four great-grandchildren.

In 2014, looking back on the

40th anniversary of her ordina-

tion, Rev. Cheek said that she

“sort of risked everything” in her

quest to become a priest.

“I would do it again,” she said.

[email protected]

ders.

“It was very hard, Sunday after

Sunday, to do my work at the

altar as a deacon in the church

which oppresses me,” Rev. Cheek

said at his trial.

Wendt was admonished, but in

an act of defiance he hired Rev.

Cheek as an assistant pastor at

St. Stephen. As other women

became ordained as “irregular”

priests, the Episcopal Church as

a whole became embroiled in a

fierce internal battle. Rev. Cheek

and the other members of the

Philadelphia 11 were featured on

the cover of Time magazine in

January 1976 as “Women of the

Year.”

“I think the visual image of a

woman behind the altar is im-

portant,” Rev. Cheek told the

Houston Chronicle in 2006. “I

don’t like to generalize, but I

think we bring a more human

touch, and that can create a

different atmosphere.”

In September 1976, the govern-

ing bodies of the Episcopal

Church voted to approve women

as ordained members of the cler-

gy. Liberal elements of the faith

were jubilant, but some con-

servative factions broke away

from the church for good.

In the years since Rev. Cheek

first stood before a congregation

in Washington, women have en-

tered the Episcopal priesthood in

increasing numbers and now

make up close to half of the

church’s clergy.

“Every woman in a leadership

position in the Episcopal Church

owes our vocation and freedom

to those very strong women,”

Mariann Edgar Budde, who is the

first woman to serve as bishop of

the Episcopal Diocese of Wash-

ington, said in an interview. “It’s

almost impossible for us to imag-

ine the costs and their scars. This

was hard. We stand on their

shoulders, every single one of us,

the female priests’ ordinations

thrown out as illegal under can-

on law. The women successfully

argued that their ordinations

were “irregular” but not illegal.

Many of the 11, including Rev.

Cheek, took up pastoral duties.

When Rev. Cheek was sched-

uled to celebrate the Eucharist at

St. Stephen and the Incarnation

Episcopal Church in Washing-

ton, the church’s rector, William

A. Wendt, was forced to cancel

the service on orders from his

bishop, William F. Creighton.

Later, on Nov. 10, 1974, Wendt

and Rev. Cheek tested the au-

thorities again. Wearing a cleri-

cal collar and vestments, Rev.

Cheek performed Communion at

Wendt’s church — the first time

any female priest had conducted

the sacrament in an Episcopal

sanctuary. A report in The Post

noted that the service “ranged

from solemn prayer to joyous

hugs and bursts of spontaneous

applause.”

The event led to two years of

upheaval and soul-searching in

the Episcopal Church. Bishop

Creighton, who supported the

ordination of women, took ac-

tion after 18 priests signed a

letter of complaint. Wendt was

tried by an ecclesiastical court

for disobeying the bishop’s or-

BY MATT SCHUDEL

The Rev. Alison Cheek, who
battled canon law and centuries-
old traditions to become one of
the first female priests in the
Episcopal Church and in 1974
was the first woman to adminis-
ter the sacrament of Communion
in an Episcopal parish, died
Sept. 1 at an assisted-living facili-
ty in Brevard, N.C. She was 92.
The death was confirmed by a
son, Timothy Cheek, who said he
did not know the exact cause.
Rev. Cheek, who was raised as
a Methodist in Australia, moved
with her family to Northern Vir-
ginia in 1957 and began attend-
ing St. Alban’s Episcopal Church
in Annandale because it was the
closest church to her home.
She became increasingly inter-
ested in theology and began to
study at the Virginia Theological
Seminary in Alexandria while
raising her four children. She
became a deacon in 1972 and two
years later was one of 11 women
ordained by three retired bishops
who supported the cause of wom-
en in the priesthood. Because the
ceremony took place in Philadel-
phia, they became known as the
“Philadelphia 11.”
They faced strong opposition
from traditionalists. At the time,
the Episcopal Church allowed
only men to be ordained, and the
hierarchy of the church consid-
ered Rev. Cheek and the other
female priests to be renegades.
“At our ordinations, when the
time was set aside for objec-
tions,” Rev. Cheek told The Wash-
ington Post in 1976, one priest
said, “ ‘These women can offer up
nothing but the sight and smell
of perversion.’ So that makes me
see how very thin is the veneer of
civilization over this fear of wom-
en’s sexuality.”
In a prolonged battle, the
church hierarchy sought to have

ALISON CHEEK, 92

Episcopal priest made history in D.C.

HARRY NALTEHAYAN/THE WASHINGTON POST

The Rev. Alison Cheek, alongside the Rev. William A. Wendt, the rector at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church in
Washington, leads Communion at the parish in 1974. It was the first time a female priest had led such a service in the Episcopal Church.

obituaries

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jim Langer, a Pro Football Hall
of Fame center who was literally in
the middle of the Miami Dolphins’
1972 perfect season, died Aug. 29
at a hospital in Coon Rapids,
Minn. He was 71.
The cause was a heart ailment,
said his wife, Linda Langer.
Mr. Langer was a first-year
starter and played every offensive
down for the NFL’s only unbeaten,
untied team that went 17-0. The
following year he helped the Dol-
phins repeat as Super Bowl cham-
pions, and began a stretch of six
consecutive Pro Bowl seasons for
Miami while playing in 128 games
in a row.
James John Langer was born in
Little Falls, Minn., on May 16,
1948, and grew up in Royalton,

Minn.

He played linebacker at South

Dakota State University and went

undrafted. He signed with Cleve-

land as a rookie in 1970 but was

cut, joined the Dolphins and made

the team as a center in coach Don

Shula’s first season with Miami.

Mr. Langer was voted the Dol-

phins’ most valuable player in

1975 and played in the NFL until

1981, spending his final two sea-

sons with the Minnesota Vikings.

A four-time all-pro choice, he was

inducted into the Hall of Fame in

his first year of eligibility in 1987.

Mr. Langer, a resident of Ram-

sey, Minn., is survived by his wife

and four children, according to

the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

His perfect season teammate

Nick Buoniconti, another Hall of

Famer, died a month ago. His long-

time Dolphins roommate, guard

Bob Kuechenberg, died in Janu-

ary.

In 2007, Kuechenberg recalled a

conversation he and Mr. Langer

had 10 weeks into the 1972 season.

“I told Langer, ‘Obviously we’re

going to have to lose a game.’

“ ‘I suppose,’ he said.

“ ‘When?’ I said.

“ ‘Not this week,’ was the only

answer.”

JIM LANGER, 71

Center helped Dolphins attain

perfect season and two titles

GEORGE BRICH/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jim Langer was the center for the Dolphins’ unbeaten season of

1972. In 1975, he was voted the team’s most valuable player.

“I think the visual

image of a woman

behind the altar is

important.... I think

we bring a more

human touch.”

The Rev. Alison Cheek

IN MEMORIAM

LADDIEJOYNER

In Loving Memory

March 8, 1935 September 6, 2004

15 years have passed since the Lord called you

home. Years may wipe out many things, but

memories of your love, smile, happy times and

kindness still remain in our hearts, and your

legacy lives on.

Love,Almeade, Eric, Derick, and Angela

JOYNER

DEATH NOTICE

MAURICE A. BANKS, PGWP

Members of Prince Hall Chapter

#5, are notified of the passing of

our beloved Past Grand Worthy

Patron, Maurice A. Banks. On Sat-

urday, September 7, viewing 10

a.m., service 11 a.m., at First Bap-

tist Church of Deanwood, 1008 45th St., NE,

Washington, DC 20019. No OES Service.

Yolanda Edwards-Brown,W.M.

John Brevard, IV,W.P.

Dorothy D. Kittrell, Secy.

BANKS

MAURICE A. BANKS, JR. (Age 89)

On August 28, 2019, Maurice peacefully went

home to be with the Lord. He is survived by

his wife of 63 years, Yvonne; one daughter,

Orne and two sons, Maurice III and Layard; six

grandchildren, two great-grandsons, nieces,

nephews, cousins and friends. The family will

receive friends on Saturday, September 7, 2019

at the First Baptist Church of Deanwood, 1008

45th St. NE, Washington, DC from 10 a.m. until

time of funeral service at 11 a.m. Interment

Harmony Memorial Cemetery, Landover, MD.

Arrangements by STRICKLAND FUNERAL SER-

VICES.

http://www.stricklandfuneralservices.com

BANKS

MATHEW JUSTICE BOWYER

Of Roanoke, Virginia passed peacefully, at

the age of 93 years old, on September 4,

2019, after a brief illness.

“Mat” was born on February 9, 1926 in Cov-

ington, Virginia to the late Mathew Wilson

and Gertrude Ellen (Tolley) Bowyer. Mat

Bowyer proudly served in the U.S. Army

in World War II, stationed first in the Philip-

pines and then in Japan. After serving in

the Army, Mat worked in the U.S. Postal

Service at National Airport and then at

Dulles Airport. After retiring from the

Postal Service, Mat worked as a real estate

agent in Northern Virginia, wrote several

books, including a history of the U.S. Postal

Service titled“They Carried the Mail”, wrote

a column in Linn’s Stamp News, and other

freelance articles.

Mathew Bowyer is survived by his loving

wife of 67 years, Virginia Anne (Austin)

Bowyer, a son, Kevin Wilson Bowyer, daugh-

ter-in-law, Susan Jane (Suddath) Bowyer,

two grandsons, Mathew Ross Bowyer and

James Wilson Bowyer, all of South Bend,

Indiana, a daughter, Karen Bowyer-Tread-

way and son-in-law, Carver Treadway of

Vinton, Virginia, sister, Mabel (Jack) Hice

of South Carolina, and sister-in-law, Hazel

Austin of South Carolina.

The family will have a private burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family urges a dona-

tion to your local Alzheimer's Association.

Arrangements by Loving Funeral Home;

http://www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com

BOWYER

DANIEL O. CAREY (Age 91)

It is with regret that we notify

the members of Steamfitters

Local 602 of the death of Retired

Brother Daniel O Carey. Friends

may call at Collins Funeral Home,

500 University Boulevard West,

Silver Spring, MD on Sunday, Sep-

tember 8, 2019 from 2 to 4 p.m. Services will

be held on Monday, September 9, 2019 at 11

a.m., at Holy Cross Church, 4900 Strathmore

Avenue, Garrett Park, MD. Notice #1725.

Daniel W. Loveless, F.S.T.

CAREY

When the need arises,

let families find you in the

Funeral Services Directory.

To be seen in the Funeral Services Directory,

please call paid Death Notices at 202-334-4122.

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Visit today.

GHI

DEATH NOTICE

JUNE ROSE COVINGTON

Passed away on September 2, 2019 in

Raleigh, North Carolina. June was born in

Brooklyn, New York to William and Mary

Campbell July 18, 1932.

She is survived by her four children, 13

grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was a lovely, amazing woman who

took joy in helping others and her family.

The funeral mass will be 11 a.m. on Sat-

urday, September 7 at St. Leo the Great

Catholic Church, 3700 Old Lee highway

Fairfax,Virginia 22030.

COVINGTON

WILLIAM MICHAEL DANTE

On Friday, August 16, 2019, of Alexandria,

VA. Son of the late Lee and Katherine Dante;

brother of Katherine J. Dante, Richard J. Dante,

Lee G. Dante, and the late Mary Lee Dante

and Robert Dante. Also survived by many

nieces and nephews. Services will be held at

St. Michael's Church, Annandale, Virginia, on

Friday, September 6. Following the service,

relatives and friends may call at Demaine

Funeral Home, Springfield, Virginia, and again

on Saturday, September 7, from 2 to 4 p.m.

DANTE

GLORIA LOUISE DAVIS

On August 23, 2019. She leaves cherished

memories to her son, James Davis; sister,

Nettie LaMaster; niece, Angela Watts; two

nephews, Jason and Jared and a host of

other family and friends. Family will receive

friends on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at

St. Paul Community Church, 14730 Sugar-

land Lane, Poolesville, MD from 10 a.m.

until service at 11 a.m. Interment Church

Cemetery. Entrusted to Snowden Funeral

Home.

http://www.snowdencares.com

DAVIS

JOHN PAUL DOYLE, JR.

LTC USA (Ret.), USMA ‘55

On Wednesday, August 28, 2019 of Ft.

Belvoir, VA. Loving husband of the late

Marilyn Trewhella Doyle. He is survived

by his children, John Doyle, Lauren Doyle

Wilkinson and Patrick Doyle; grandchildren,

John Doyle, Lindsy Doyle, and Brenden

Doyle (John), Madeline Doyle and Noah

Doyle (Patrick) and Donald Wilkinson and

Ian Wilkinson (Lauren); great-grandchild,

Riley Doyle (Brenden); daughter-in-law,

Mary Doyle and son-in-law, Donald Wilkin-

son.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will

be held at Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel with

inurnment following in Arlington National

Cemetery at a later day. In lieu of flowers,

memorial contributions may be made to

The Fisher House Foundation, 12300 Twin-

brook Pkwy. #410 Rockville, MD 20852

http://www.fisherhouse.org

Please view the family guestbook online at

http://www.fairfaxmemorialfuneralhome.com

DOYLE

JAMES LEE FLEISHELL

Captain USCG (Ret.)

September 23, 1927 - August 7, 2019

James Lee Fleishell, a Washington, DC native,

died peacefully at his home in Chester, CT,

surrounded by family. He was 91 years old. He

is survived by his wife, the former Norma De-

veau, to whom he had been married for 68

years, his four children, James of East Lyme,

CT, Thomas of Montville, NJ, Anne Kelly (John)

of Wilton, CT and Mary Lee Tucker (John) of

Med- field, MA, and his five grandchildren,

Christopher and James Kelly, Connor Fleishell

and Ellen and Annie Tucker. He is predeceased

by his brother, William Fleishell, a long-time

District res ident, and his sister, Jean Hammer.

Jim was born at Sibley Memorial Hospital to

William Sheldon Fleishell and Anna Mae Shank.

He was raised in the Brightwood area of the

District and attended St. John’s College High

School. Jim graduated from the U.S. Coast

Guard Academy in 1950, and later received a

Master’s de- gree in Public Administration from

George Washington University. Jim served for

30 years as a Coast Guard officer in various

overseas and domestic assignments, including

command of two Coast Guard cutters, USS

Cartigan (Panama City, FL) and USS Mackinac

(Staten Island, NY). Following his sea tours, he

enjoyed major shore commands as Comman-

der, Group Long Island Sound, Commander,

Group New York, and Captain of the Port of

New York. As Captain of the Port, Jim directed

the Coast Guard’s operational forces during

the nation’s 1976 Bicentennial celebration in

New York harbor, which included coordination

and oversight of the celebration’s centerpiece,

Operation Sail, a procession of “tall ships”

representing more than a dozen coun- tries.

Upon retirement from the Coast Guard in

1980, Jim worked for the Port Authority of

New York and New Jersey, serving as the

Executive Director of the New York Harbor

Festival. He later joined General Dynamics in

their Electric Boat Division in New London,

working in their Trident Training Facility Con-

struction and Support Program, retiring fully in

1991.

His passing will leave his family and many

friends yearning for his quick wit, his presence,

his love and his passion for learning.

Calling hours and funeral services are available

at:

https://www.fultontherouxnewlondon.com

Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the

US Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association,

47 Mohegan Ave, New London, CT 06320 or

https://www.cgaalumni.org.

FLEISHELL