A Match Made in Heaven

When Rev. Spencer Parsons ’41 read the Denison Magazine feature about Tai Shigaki ’44 in the Summer 2005 “Home” issue, he readily recalled meeting her 1945, when they both attended the Andover Newton Theological Seminary, as well as their later encounters at conferences and events of the Alliance of Baptists. But it had been years since he last spoke with his old friend, so he decided to give her a call. They had a pleasant chat and later agreed to meet at the Alliance conference the following April. “That started the ball
rolling,” remembers Parsons. Their relationship continued via short phone calls and finally, in July, Shigaki told him, “Well, if I’m going to continue this, I’ve got to see you in your own setting.” So she flew from her long-time home of Minneapolis to Boston, where
she met Parsons and his family for dinner, pretty much sealing their fate. Two months later, on September 22, they were married by Rev. Parsons’ minister daughter in the library of his retirement home, the first wedding to be held there. At ages 86 and 88, their friends have had plenty of quips to share. One of Parsons’ favorites? “You’ve known her for 65 years, it sure took you long enough to figure out what to do!” The newlyweds now happily reside in Worcester, Massachusetts.