The Rev. Arthur S. Vaeni, a beloved minister and advocate for social justice, passed away on October 24, 2025, at his home in Plymouth, New Hampshire. He was surrounded by his devoted wife, Sally Vaeni, and succumbed to complications related to Alzheimer’s disease, which he had faced for the last decade of his life.
Born on April 8, 1950, in Concord, New Hampshire, Arthur was raised by his parents, Marjorie Spooner Vaeni and Starkey Vaeni, alongside his brother, Edwin. Following his graduation from Bishop Brady High School, he attended the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point, serving in the Army until his honorable discharge in 1977. He later earned a Master’s degree in communications from Indiana University.
In 1972, Arthur married his high school sweetheart, Gail Painchaud. The couple welcomed two children, Annemarie and Brian, who remained central to Arthur’s life. His spiritual journey began in his early thirties when he found solace in Unitarian Universalism. After studying at Harvard Divinity School, he was ordained in 1987 by the Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Plymouth, where he became the fellowship’s first full-time minister.
Advocacy and Community Impact
Under Arthur’s leadership, the congregation flourished, leading to the construction of a new Meetinghouse on Fairgrounds Road. In 1993, he married Sally Gove, and their partnership brought over 30 years of mutual support and love.
In 2001, the couple relocated to Olympia, Washington, where Arthur served as minister of the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation (OUUC) for 13 years. He was particularly passionate about addressing homelessness. In 2007, when a tent city emerged on a vacant lot, the OUUC board, led by Arthur, made the bold decision to allow the encampment to reside in its parking lot. This initiative, named Camp Quixote, became a community effort, with various churches collaborating to provide shelter.
Arthur was proud of this achievement, which exemplified the congregation’s commitment to social justice. Over time, Camp Quixote transitioned into a permanent housing solution, consisting of tiny homes and a community center.
In 2014, Arthur and Sally moved to Bangor, Maine, where he served as an interim minister at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor (UUSB). During his second year there, he received his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, which prompted their return to New Hampshire in March 2016.
A Legacy of Kindness and Gratitude
Despite the challenges posed by his illness, Arthur approached each day with gratitude and intention. He maintained a commitment to his physical health through regular exercise and a balanced diet. His spiritual practice of loving kindness meditation was a cornerstone of his daily life, allowing him to foster deep connections with others.
Arthur was known for his prolific writing of thank-you notes, consistently expressing appreciation for those around him. He cherished the outdoors and took pride in climbing Mount Washington annually for 40 consecutive years. Even in the face of Alzheimer’s, he remained a calm, kind, and generous individual.
He is survived by his wife, Sally; daughter Annemarie, her husband Scott Case, and their children Sam and Izzy; son Brian, his wife Liz Flannery, and their children Emmy, Ellie, and Evie; as well as his brother Edwin and his family.
Arthur Vaeni’s profound impact on his congregations and the wider community will be remembered fondly. A memorial service is scheduled for January 18, 2026, at 14:00 at the Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, located at 101 Fairgrounds Road, Plymouth, NH 03264. The service will also be live-streamed; details will be available on the church’s website.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pemi-Baker Hospice and Home Health, located at 101 Boulder Point Drive #3, Plymouth, NH 03264. For those wishing to view Arthur’s online tribute or send condolences, more information is available at www.csnh.com.
