Alan Laird Chisholm

Alan Laird Chisholm, age 89, formerly of Nyack, New York, died on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at his home at Broadmead in Cockeysville, Maryland. Born in Washington, DC, on January 6, 1937, he was the eldest son of Robert Kerr Chisholm and Margaret Sale (Covey) Chisholm. He was predeceased by his parents, wife Linda Armstrong Chisholm, and son-in-law Peter Foley.

He grew up in Pleasantville, New York, and graduated from Amherst College in 1958, where he studied physics and liberal arts. He then attended Drew University Theological School before completing his Master of Divinity at General Theological Seminary in 1961; he was ordained an Episcopal Priest in the Diocese of New York the same year. He first served as a Deacon at Christ Church in Poughkeepsie, where he met Vassar College student Linda Armstrong. They married in 1962 in Linda’s hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and remained so for 57 years, until Linda’s death in 2019. Together, they raised three daughters in South Nyack, New York, where they lived for over 40 years.

During his half-century of ministry, Alan served as a priest at St. James Church, Los Angeles (1961-62), then returned to New York where he served at Christ Church, Bronxville (1962-65); St. John’s Parish, South Salem (1965-70); All Saints Church, Valley Cottage (1970-76); and assisted at Grace Church, Nyack (1977-2020).

While serving as a parish priest, he became interested in pastoral care and psychotherapy, pursuing certificates in both from Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute in the early 1970s. He later continued his studies at the Center for Modern Analytic Studies. Alan began work as a private practice psychotherapist in 1973 and continued for 45 years serving clients in Rockland County and New York City through the Psychotherapy and Spirituality Institute (PSI), where he served as Director of the PSI Centers at St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue (1977-1993) and St. Bartholomew’s Church, Park Avenue (1993-2018).

A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Alan was known and cherished by many for his kindness, gentle demeanor, quiet strength, and generous spirit. Neighbors in Nyack will remember him tending his garden on the corner of South Broadway and Clinton Avenue, singing joyfully in the Grace Church Choir, sailing his Thistle on the Hudson, and offering a compassionate ear and a helping hand to those who needed it. He also maintained a lifelong affection for Amherst College, staying connected with classmates and serving on committees through his 65th reunion.

He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Eleanor Landauer (Peter) of Baltimore, Maryland, Margaret Marsh (Christian) of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Kathryn Chisholm of Nyack, New York; grandchildren, Malcolm Marsh, Grace Foley, and Charles Marsh; brothers David H. Chisholm (Ana) and Robert K. Chisholm (Judith); and seven nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful for the support and care he received at Broadmead in recent years and for his neighbor and devoted companion, Joyce Gilley.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 11 am at Grace Episcopal Church, 130 First Avenue, Nyack, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grace Church Memorial Garden and Columbarium Fund or to GraceMusic, 130 First Avenue, Nyack, NY 10960 or https://gecnyack.givingfire.com/?fund=4414