ELIZABETH ALLING SEWALL

Sewall, Elizabeth Alling
48, died on September 1, 2012 from metastatic breast cancer. Elizabeth's life with this difficult disease was marked by perseverance, grace, and care for others, especially her sons, Scott and Duncan, and her husband, Gordon. A devoted mother, wife, daughter and friend, Elizabeth was also an extraordinary colleague with an established record of excellence in fund-raising. She held leadership roles at Lawrence Academy (Groton, MA), Westminster School (Simsbury, CT) and, most recently, she was the director of advancement at the Fessenden School in West Newton where she led the most successful campaign in the school's history. Born to Cynthia Sykes Alling and the late Duncan Wells Alling, and spent her early years in Charlottesville, VA. Elizabeth was a graduate of Miami Valley School (Dayton, OH), Yale University and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She was a volunteer leader at Yale and chaired her 25th reunion in May 2011. Elizabeth managed many crucial volunteer efforts at Milton Academy in support of Scott (Class of 2010), Duncan (Class of 2013), and her husband, who serves as assistant head of school. "Elizabeth built a large community of admirers," Gordon notes, "in both the personal and the professional sides of her life. People universally felt an authentic connection with Elizabeth, one that reflected their awareness of her genuine concern for their needs and interests. That care, coupled with her honesty and directness, made Elizabeth an excellent advisor and a guiding light for countless colleagues and friends." Elizabeth worked hard to understand and manage her own disease and, in the end, she helped advance the research work of her doctors at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Dr. Eric Winer and Dr. Elgene Lim. She was inspired by hope that the progress they are making against breast cancer will benefit the next generation of women and their families. To honor that commitment, her family has established the Elizabeth Alling Sewall Endowment Fund at Dana Farber. The family respectfully requests that memorial gifts be made to the Elizabeth's endowment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline, MA 02445-7226, Attn: Dr. Eric Winer. Elizabeth leaves her husband Gordon, her sons Scott and Duncan of Milton, her Mother Cynthia Alling of Charlottesville, VA and her brother Greg and his family of Manila, Philippines as well as many other beloved family members and friends. There will be a celebration of her life at St. Michael's Church, 112 Randolph Avenue at 2:00 on September 30 with a reception at the Schwarz Student Center at Milton Academy to follow.