A History of Our Founders
Phoenix Friends of C. G. Jung was founded in 1984. Our Organization has been, unquestionably, a labor of love all along, from the pioneering achievements of Mary Bell Palombo, Hazel Ricketts, Louella Marshall, Carol R. Lake and many others, to today. Indeed, it has been a labor of love filled with acts of grace and altruism, with remarkable contributions from our members and Board members that followed. As founder Louella Marshall remarked (#1): “Thousands of individuals have been introduced to the work of Carl Gustav Jung through the efforts of the many volunteers for Phoenix Friends of C. G. Jung. And, most of all, through the unfailing efforts of Mary Bell Palombo (#2) who was the inspiration which kept the whole process moving...”
Founder Hazel Ricketts describes “… there was so much energy and enthusiasm to get things going” on the part of the volunteers who answered Mary Palombo’s call to action – from the steering committee which included, among others, Hazel Ricketts, Louella Marshall and Carol R. Lake – to “the people who served as initial Board of Directors: Bruce Bromley, Georgiana Burke, Anthony Cicciarelli, Marylore Dolan, Robin Fugua, Avis Knewel, Carol R. Lake, Louella Marshall, Priscilla McNulty, Hazel Ricketts, and Rochelle Winograd.” The registered incorporators were: Hazel Ricketts, Louella Marshall and Carol R. Lake. Hazel continues her testimonial: “The first elected president was Bruce Bromley, followed by Hazel Ricketts, John Thompson, Jan Urbansky, Carol Thomas, Hazel Ricketts, Darlene Demmer, Dorothy Leonard, Louella Marshall, Kriss Sprinkle, Ann Mulroy, Ron Leonard, David Black, Ron Leonard” and, currently, Donna L. Robinson.
Founder Carol R. Lake, who has a Master’s degree in counseling from Pacifica University, was also a Board member for many years. Likewise, she describes her initial enthusiasm: “We were all very excited about what Mary and others had to teach us about Jung. Many were searching for meaning and purpose. Jung’s Analytical Psychology filled a need. To me, it all tied-in well with my Christian religious faith. The years I volunteered were quite meaningful.” It is also relevant to mention the instrumental role the late Rev. Scott Haasarud, PhD played as an early supporter and enthusiast about the Jung project. He was the first lecturer and workshop Faculty (October 1984), subsequently presenting many times throughout the decades.
Our gratitude goes to our many supporters, members, Board of Directors, and Advisory Board who, throughout these 34 years made Phoenix Friends of C. G. Jung a significant contributor and a relevant disseminator of Carl G. Jung’s lifework – not only in the greater Phoenix but throughout Arizona, and beyond. Louella Marshall described poignantly her experience in “Thank you, Dr. Jung! (#1) “I really don’t have the words to tell anyone how much my work in Analytical Psychology has meant to me. I just thank God or whomever is in charge for giving me the strength or whatever it took to follow the “way” toward better understanding of Life and what it has meant “to not hurt”. “The narrow gate” is a metaphor for what seems to have happened. Only instead of seeing ahead and wondering what it was, at one point in my life I looked back to see where I was and noticed a “narrow gate,” that I realized then I had passed through.”
Jungian psychology is indeed rewarding and transformational – it has helped countless lives to flourish, and to find purpose and meaning. The contributions of our Founders are innumerable. Their generosity far-reaching. We want to thank, especially Hazel Ricketts and Louella Marshall, for providing Phoenix Friends of Jung financial support through generous donations during a challenging period in the Organization’s life. We further thank Louella, who worked tirelessly, over so many years, to build a Jungian resources library for the community to enjoy and study Jung’s psychology, as well as that of scholars who came after him (#3). Thank you Founders, thank you Dr. Jung!
Sources and Resources:
Most of the material above was collected from “A History of The Phoenix Friends of C. G. Jung” by Mary Bell Palombo, Hazel Ricketts, and Louella Marshall, compiled by Doroethy Leonard, October 2007. Archives.
Read Mary Bell Palombo’s account of her interest in C. G. Jung, her studies in Zurich, her teachings at the Franciscan Renewal Center, and the establishment of Phoenix Friends of Jung. Interviewed by Doroethy Leonard, December 2004. Archives.
This library of information about C.G. Jung's work was donated to the Beatitudes Campus, 1610 West Glendale Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85021.