SARAH HANDY EDWARDS BALTZELL

Sarah was member of Photocircle almost since its founding, about ten years ago. Her photographs always told a story, and it won't surprise many of you that we always got to hear those stories. Her photographs improved a lot over these ten years. That's an inspiration to all of us.

I'll miss her.

I knew Sarah for the past two years in a photography discussion group called Photo Circle. She was: affable, pleasant, opinionated, insightful, and humorous. She drew me aside after one particular session and we fell into a very deep discussion about some photographs. A very earnest and thoughtful soul.

Like Rita, I knew Sarah through Photocircle. She was with us since almost the beginning of the group, in 1998.

Her photographs always had stories, which we got to hear. She was a surprising and delightful character in our group. I'll miss her.

On top of all the personal issues, we were very pleased to see her photographs improve a lot over the years. That's an inspiration for all of us. Attached is a photograph I did of Sarah in May.

I knew Sarah through Photo Circle, a group of avid photographers of which we were both members. I grew very fond of her over the years and was always touched by her insightful and helpful email messages about everything from thorny questions of visual composition to how to find an empathetic doctor. Once I especially admired a picture she had shown to our photo group; at the next meeting, she gave me a print of the same image as a gift. I am so sorry that I will be out of town and unable to...

Sarah and I met in 1980. Sarah was a most fascinating woman and I was dazzled by the stories of her life which she shared with great humility. She was my champion encouraging me in many ways. I loved her views on life and enjoyed her subtle humour. Though her roots were in Oklahoma, she was a Philadelphia lady in grand style.

I was very saddened to of just read of the passing of Ms. Sarah Baltzell. Although i only knew of her from what i read, her humanitarian works are an inspiration to me and i'm sure many others. My deepest condolences to her beautiful daughter Virginia, who was kind enough to show me and my parents around her studio and speak perfect Italian while doing so...

Sarah was my first tax client 30 years ago (boy is it really that long) and the business relationship turned into a long friendship which I'll treasure. She was one of the most unique persons I've known in every way and showed me that you can live life to it's fullest and continue to expand your horizons. It's sad that suffered in the last year and my thoughts go out to Virginia and Hewson.

Sarah--a small, quiet voice, behind it a towering intellect whose passion for great books and great ideas will be so missed at our local book group. Her photography captured the city in its quiet moments too; her studies, both formal and fresh, demonstrated an eye for composition that saw beneath the surfaces of things. Our hearts go out to her daughter, son and family.

Sarah was one of the most interesting and sincere people I have come across in Philadelphia. I had the oportunity to restore some of her family furniture and objects. There are always stories associated with the objects that we surround ourselves with and Sarah always had a wonderful way of expressing herself with regards to these precious objects or pieces of family furniture. Working on them gave me an opportunity to bring them back to life for her. And her gift to me was her stories of her...