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Sarah Bell Obituary
1929-2013 LENOX Sarah H. Bell of 84 Taconic Ave., who for more than 60 years was a community and environmental activist, died of leukemia Monday at the Kimball Farms Nursing Center. She was 84 years old. Mrs. Bell was a former chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Environmental Management. She served as vice chairman of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, and later as a planning and zoning consultant. She was also a consultant to the Berkshire Natural Resources Council and, on an informal basis, to many other planning and environmental organizations. She served as chairman of the Lenox Planning Board and the Lenox Department of Public Works. In 1990-91 she was chairman of a Lenox Town Government Study Committee whose work led to legislation creating a town manager form of government. More recently, she was a founding member of the Lenox Land Trust. She was a founding director of the Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation. Especially in her early days in the Berkshires she was active in the League of Women Voters and the NAACP. A native of Howe, Ind., Mrs. Bell was born Feb. 20, 1929, the daughter of Harry W. and Anna Wade Haglind. She graduated from Indiana University in 1950 and in the same year married William F. Bell. The couple moved to Massachusetts in 1955. After commuting to the Western New England College of Law while working as a legal secretary, she received her law degree in 1979 and became a member of the Lee law firm Hannon, Lerner, Cowhig, Scully, & Bell with an emphasis on real estate, probate, and municipal law. She was an avid reader of novels and a devotee of Tanglewood and the Clark Art Institute, and with her husband she made nine tours of France, greatly enjoying its landscape and historic churches. Besides her husband, Mrs. Bell leaves four children, James of Lenox, Charles of Ossining, N.Y., Philip of Northampton, and Sarah of Lewisburg, Pa.; two grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Brockway of Michigan City, Ind. FUNERAL NOTICE:A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Ann's Church by Msgr. John Bonzagni. Calling hours will be Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the ROCHE FUNERAL HOME. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Visitation Monastery of Tyringham or to HospiceCare in the Berkshires in care of the funeral home.
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Theodora Killiard
October 23, 2013
I just heard about the death of Sally. I had a lot of contact with her in the South Berkshire Registry of Deeds over the years. She was a wonderful lady and always a pleasure to be with. My sympathy goes to her family and many friends. Teddi Killiard
Bill and Maddy Elovirta
October 18, 2013
Just arrived home after being away for two weeks to discover the passing of Sally. Our deepest sympathies to the family. Sally represented us on a personal basis and Bill had worked with her when she was counsel for the Town of Becket. She was a grand lady.
Betty & Ray Fillio
October 15, 2013
Our deepest sympathies to the entire family. Sally was such a joy to work with in my real estate years and was so thoughtful and helpful as our attorney for many, many years.
. She will be truly missed.
Joyce Scheffey
October 14, 2013
I attended many a meeting, event and not enough private moments with this wondeful woman. All I can say is that when Sally Bell walked into the room the world was instantly a brighter place.
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Lori Robbins
October 12, 2013
Sally was a fabulous mentor who truly enjoyed the practice (mostly social work) of law. In all my years of working with her on the other side of a transaction, or as Town Counsel for Richmond, she was always a pleasure to work with because she genuinely wanted to help. I will miss her beautiful voice, smile, and boundless energy.
Debra Allen
October 11, 2013
Sarah,
So very sorry to hear about your mother's passing. I am not sure you remember me as it has been a very long time but I do remember meeting your mom when we were at BCC together. She was a lovely woman.
Jane Burke
October 11, 2013
Sally was a wonderful force in our community and a champion for the environment. She will be sorely missed as an inspiration and a woman who got it done. Condolences to her family who loved her dearly.
October 10, 2013
Kind, talented, fair, and a most gracious person. A great loss to the entire Berkshire community.Sincere sympathy to the Bell family.R. Bucknell
Mike and Shawn Considine
October 9, 2013
Not only was Sally an excellent lawyer who contributed selflessly to many worthy town and community organizations, she was also a beautiful person and a pleasure to work with. Our sincere condolences to the entire Bell family.
Bob Liston
October 9, 2013
I was sorry to hear of Sally's passing in the Eagle today. She was a wonderful person a great lawyer and a good friend to Lenox and many towns in the Berkshires. She was a worker on many zoning and planning issues in the County and one of the smartest people I've ever had the pleasure to meet. The Bell family, The town of Lenox and Berkshire county have lost a great spirit.
October 9, 2013
A friend to the natural environment indeed, and a champion of community planning. Condolences to Chuck and family. -- Jeff Gold & Jill Greenberg, New York, N.Y.
October 9, 2013
Sally was a very special person, an excellent lawyer - especially brillant on real estate issues. She was warm, caring - but my favorite times with Sally were coming in last paddling in the Josh Billings Runaground. Our love to Bill and the fmaily, Keye Hollister
Cate Conklin
October 9, 2013
What a kind hearted, sharp minded person Sally was. She was a devoted friend to my aunt, Judy Conklin Peters, for which I will always be grateful. RIP, dear Sally, and my deepest sympathy to Bill and the family.
Abby Pratt
October 9, 2013
How we loved and admired your Sally, Bill. Please accept our
condolences and relay them to your children. We won't be able to attend the funeral, but we will have you in our thoughts that day. With love, Abby and Larry Pratt
Dennis & Sylvia Gargan
October 9, 2013
Sorry to hear of your loss! She was a great lady and a joy to have known!
Joseph Maciora
October 9, 2013
My prayers and thoghts are with the Bell family at this sad time.
Mark and Nancy Peetros
October 9, 2013
To Sally's family, We are so sorry for your loss. She was our lawyer for many years and was a wonderful lawyer and a great person. We even went home with a cat from one of trips to the office! We will miss her.
Gary Lagarce
October 9, 2013
our thoughts and prayers are with you, Sally was a huge part of the Lenox Community.
Ann Spadafora
October 9, 2013
How very sad to lose such a special person. I knew Sally when she was Town Counsel to Becket. She was always gracious, calm and knowledgeable and treated everyone fairly. Rest in Peace, dear lady.
Sara Hathaway
October 9, 2013
Sally was one of the first people I met in the Berkshires and I still think of her as one of the best. She helped me in my early days writing the newsletter and drafting principles for a comprehensive plan for the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. I remember her pragmatism and humor in organizing "fifth Wednesday" gatherings for land use officials to learn how to effectively conduct planning board meetings. She told me of the gatherings of "planning bag ladies": women who cared about land use issues and who would gather to party together (and presumably to network and strategize).
A great leader and bright mind who helped make the Berkshires the beautiful place it remains today. I will remember you, Sally, and miss you.
Lenox Police Department
October 9, 2013
Please accept our sincere condolences at the passing of Sally. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
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120 Main St P.O. Box 152, Lenox, MA 01240
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