Ferolyn Lorraine Currier Menzel (Fay)
Ferolyn Lorraine Currier Menzel (Fay), 96, was called home in the early hours of January 5, 2025. Born March 16, 1928, in Fleetwood Pennsylvania, Fay was the beloved daughter of Charles Nelson Currier and Ada Blanche Currier Magnuson.
Fay grew up in North Tarrytown and Ossining, NY, graduating from Ossining High School in 1945 and attended Denison University in Granville, Ohio. This is where she met her husband Rev. Donald David Menzel and embarked on the life of a pastor’s wife. Fay and Donald enjoyed 40 years of marriage. Fay returned to school after raising seven children. She earned her BA from Worcester State University and a Master of Library Science from SUNY Buffalo, proving to her children that learning is a lifelong endeavor.
In college, Fay worked for the American Baptist Churches Association and brought Vacation Bible School programs to remote villages in New England. This is how she fell in love with the Vermont countryside and why her children were afforded the opportunity to take family camping trips to Vermont for many years.
Fay was a quiet, unassuming presence with an unwavering love of the Lord and her family. While raising seven children, she sewed clothes, grew vegetables, managed hand-me-downs, cooked family dinners, canned pickles, dried herbs in the church basement, did needlepoint, taught preschool Sunday school classes, read, and danced in the living room with her husband when she thought her children weren’t around. She enjoyed big band music and puzzles.
Fay had a passion for genealogy; tracing the Currier/Menzel line back to Scottish and English royalty before internet searches and digital media. She was passionate about reading. Over the years, Fay organized several church libraries. She was elected Trustee of the Topsham Public Library, Topsham, Maine. She read every book in that library.
In her later years, Fay volunteered at the Doctor’s Research Library of Mansfield General Hospital, Mansfield, Ohio and became a founding member of Kendal, Granville (Otterbein Senior Living) where she was instrumental in initial community planning. Fay started the Fiber Arts group and was a vital member of her community.
She accomplished many small, quiet things that enriched the lives of those around her and will leave a legacy for generations to come.
Fay was predeceased by her husband, Rev. Donald Menzel; her brothers, Raymond Currier and Charles Currier, Jr., a son, David Menzel, and a great- grandson, Geoffrey Phillips.
Ferolyn is survived by six children: Deborah Menzel, Diana Menzel Phillips (George), Laurie Menzel Williams (Allan), Leigh Stephen Menzel (Eileen), Lyle Menzel (Ann), and Sarah Menzel Park (Jonathan); twelve grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 9, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Newark, 1000 Granville Road, Newark, OH, with Reverend Jim Addy, officiating. A calling hour will be held prior to the service at the church from 10-11 a.m.
Burial will take place, after a graveside service at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 10, with Reverend Carol Kautz, officiating at Mansfield Memorial Park, 2435 Park Avenue West Road, Mansfield, OH.
Memorial contributions can be made in Fay’s name to, First Baptist Church of Newark, 1000 Granville Road, Newark, OH 43055 or United Baptist Church for the Menzel Campership Fund, Checks may be sent to the Board of Christian Education, United Baptist Church, 1 Elm St. Topsham, ME 04086.
The Newark Chapel of Henderson-Van Atta-Stickle Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements. www.hendersonvanatta.com