Viola Purvis
Viola Purvis (1911-2003) was a member of Old Chatham Meeting in her later years, after retiring from service as general secretary and field secretary to New York Yearly Meeting. She was known as a careful listener and a powerful speaker in meeting for worship. Her full memorial minute is on file with our Meeting archives.
| viola_purvis_memorial_minute.pdf |
At the January 1, 2023 meeting for business, Lyle Jenks spoke of our late member Viola Purvis and her work to preserve the legacy of pioneer women's rights advocate Emily Howland, newly inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. Here are his remarks, as prepared for delivery last fall at Opendore Museum in Sherwood, NY, the Quaker hamlet near Poplar Ridge Meeting which was Emily Howland's home.
Viola Purvis Manuscript on Emily Howland – Remarks for 17 Ninth Month, 2022 at Opendore Museum.
Greetings, Friends -
What pleasure to be here at the Howland Stone Store Museum this afternoon, participating in the “All Are
Welcome Here” program and the exciting run-up to Emily Howland’s induction into the National
Women’s Hall of Fame (September 24, 2022) in Seneca Falls.
Some years ago I became the steward of an undated, unpublished manuscript entitled “Bright Shining as
the Sun” – a monograph on the life and work of Emily Howland, known and remembered as a pioneer
educator, suffragist, human rights advocate and peace visionary.
This monograph was researched and authored by the now late Viola E. Purvis, a member of Old Chatham Quaker Meeting
in her later years, who served as field secretary for New York Yearly Meeting of Friends,
visiting Quakers throughout New York and beyond. Among others, members of the Otis family here in Sherwood
supported Viola’s careful research onEmily Howland’s most remarkable life.
As I knew and then grew to respect and love Viola in her later years, I saw it to be totally congruent that
she was drawn to the life and witness of Emily Howland. An advocate for peace and justice herself – an
example would be traveling with an ecumenical good-will tour to Cuba at a time when such gestures were
considered suspect by most Americans - Viola Purvis examined Emily Howland’s life grounded in
Quaker principles of respect for the dignity of all – regardless of race, gender, class or social standing.
Viola came to see Emily as a role model for others – in Emily’s words, using an old Quaker admonition to
“let our lives speak” – speak to and witness for the values we hold and the world we seek.
Only when visiting the Howland Stone Store Museum with a tour of Friends Historical Association led by
Judy Wellman and others of us in the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse project did I come to
understand that this manuscript belongs here in the archives and research library at Opendore.
I offer gratitude to Kathryn Bacon, then of Old Chatham Friends Meeting for safeguarding Viola’s manuscript,
and to Ruth Hyde Paine, then of St. Petersburg Friends Meeting, for painstakingly re-typing the final draft.
I’m privileged to now transfer stewardship of this document to the curators at Opendore so that visitors and
researchers may benefit from Viola’s work, and, perhaps, be inspired by Emily Howland to “let our lives
speak” – even ‘bright shining as the sun.”
Lyle R. Jenks
Viola Purvis Manuscript on Emily Howland – Remarks for 17 Ninth Month, 2022 at Opendore Museum.
Greetings, Friends -
What pleasure to be here at the Howland Stone Store Museum this afternoon, participating in the “All Are
Welcome Here” program and the exciting run-up to Emily Howland’s induction into the National
Women’s Hall of Fame (September 24, 2022) in Seneca Falls.
Some years ago I became the steward of an undated, unpublished manuscript entitled “Bright Shining as
the Sun” – a monograph on the life and work of Emily Howland, known and remembered as a pioneer
educator, suffragist, human rights advocate and peace visionary.
This monograph was researched and authored by the now late Viola E. Purvis, a member of Old Chatham Quaker Meeting
in her later years, who served as field secretary for New York Yearly Meeting of Friends,
visiting Quakers throughout New York and beyond. Among others, members of the Otis family here in Sherwood
supported Viola’s careful research onEmily Howland’s most remarkable life.
As I knew and then grew to respect and love Viola in her later years, I saw it to be totally congruent that
she was drawn to the life and witness of Emily Howland. An advocate for peace and justice herself – an
example would be traveling with an ecumenical good-will tour to Cuba at a time when such gestures were
considered suspect by most Americans - Viola Purvis examined Emily Howland’s life grounded in
Quaker principles of respect for the dignity of all – regardless of race, gender, class or social standing.
Viola came to see Emily as a role model for others – in Emily’s words, using an old Quaker admonition to
“let our lives speak” – speak to and witness for the values we hold and the world we seek.
Only when visiting the Howland Stone Store Museum with a tour of Friends Historical Association led by
Judy Wellman and others of us in the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse project did I come to
understand that this manuscript belongs here in the archives and research library at Opendore.
I offer gratitude to Kathryn Bacon, then of Old Chatham Friends Meeting for safeguarding Viola’s manuscript,
and to Ruth Hyde Paine, then of St. Petersburg Friends Meeting, for painstakingly re-typing the final draft.
I’m privileged to now transfer stewardship of this document to the curators at Opendore so that visitors and
researchers may benefit from Viola’s work, and, perhaps, be inspired by Emily Howland to “let our lives
speak” – even ‘bright shining as the sun.”
Lyle R. Jenks
M. Elisabeth Grace
Old Chatham Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
Memorial Minute for M. Elisabeth Grace
4/28/1934 – 2/7/2018
Memorial Meeting under the care of Old Chatham Meeting 4/14/18
It is a challenge to choose words in giving tribute to one whose legacy includes many examples of an incomparable writing skill. We in Old Chatham Meeting can only offer gratitude for the many years in which Elisabeth Grace was present among us, sharing her wit and her words in a manner that entertained, educated, challenged us as she quietly modeled an exemplary life.
A Friend since 1958, Elisabeth contributed to the life of Old Chatham Meeting in many ways after settling in Columbia County in 1975. Serving on a number of committees over the years as well as acting as clerk of the Meeting, she contributed to the spiritual life of the meeting through vocal ministry and participation in worship sharing. As a member of Ministry and Counsel, Elisabeth utilized her professional listening skills in supporting others on their spiritual journeys. We learned about the disruption and displacement of war when she spoke of her growing-up years in England during the 1940’s. On work days here at the meetinghouse, Elisabeth tried to convince us that the only real difference between a flower and a weed is location! In her service on the Bob Bacon Memorial Fund, Elisabeth brought her concern for families and especially for LGBTQ folk who were experiencing discrimination and turmoil. And, as president of the board of Friends Burial Ground at Rayville, she was first to arrive for work days, lending her energy and insight to our many restoration and improvement efforts.
It is hard to recall Elisabeth’s life in Columbia County without also remembering that of Kate Dunham, her life partner of 33 years until Kate’s death in 2006. For many years, they co-authored “The Birders’ Corner,” a weekly column in the Chatham Courier. They worked together in the Columbia County Land Conservancy and in the Alan Devoe Bird Club, where they built and maintained trails, led bird walks, and contributed to the newsletter.
Many Old Chatham Friends and neighbors were present for Elisabeth’s 65th birthday celebration at Powell House, and will always remember her delighted amazement when a Scottish bagpiper began playing outside the ballroom windows – a surprise arranged by Kate and a telling example of their devotion to each other. Their compassion for and commitment to protecting and feeding wildlife is legendary, as exemplified by the many bird feeders around their home and also in “Ode to Badger,” a tender tribute to a woodchuck who dined each day in the garden.
In recent years, Elisabeth generously shared her time and her trained therapy dog, Cole, in visits to schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. A member of writing groups, she sometimes read her work on public radio, and she was committed to helping other elders to continue living independently.
Elisabeth’s last gift to Old Chatham Meeting was the opportunity to be present with her in her final weeks as she journeyed through the agony of pancreatic cancer. Those among us who offered a ministry of presence to Elisabeth are blessed by that experience, and will join with others for the interment of ashes at Rayville one spring day when the bluebirds have returned to their box and the flowering shadblow tree which Elisabeth planted is in full bloom over the bench inscribed ‘Kate Dunham and Elisabeth Grace.’
Memorial Minute for M. Elisabeth Grace
4/28/1934 – 2/7/2018
Memorial Meeting under the care of Old Chatham Meeting 4/14/18
It is a challenge to choose words in giving tribute to one whose legacy includes many examples of an incomparable writing skill. We in Old Chatham Meeting can only offer gratitude for the many years in which Elisabeth Grace was present among us, sharing her wit and her words in a manner that entertained, educated, challenged us as she quietly modeled an exemplary life.
A Friend since 1958, Elisabeth contributed to the life of Old Chatham Meeting in many ways after settling in Columbia County in 1975. Serving on a number of committees over the years as well as acting as clerk of the Meeting, she contributed to the spiritual life of the meeting through vocal ministry and participation in worship sharing. As a member of Ministry and Counsel, Elisabeth utilized her professional listening skills in supporting others on their spiritual journeys. We learned about the disruption and displacement of war when she spoke of her growing-up years in England during the 1940’s. On work days here at the meetinghouse, Elisabeth tried to convince us that the only real difference between a flower and a weed is location! In her service on the Bob Bacon Memorial Fund, Elisabeth brought her concern for families and especially for LGBTQ folk who were experiencing discrimination and turmoil. And, as president of the board of Friends Burial Ground at Rayville, she was first to arrive for work days, lending her energy and insight to our many restoration and improvement efforts.
It is hard to recall Elisabeth’s life in Columbia County without also remembering that of Kate Dunham, her life partner of 33 years until Kate’s death in 2006. For many years, they co-authored “The Birders’ Corner,” a weekly column in the Chatham Courier. They worked together in the Columbia County Land Conservancy and in the Alan Devoe Bird Club, where they built and maintained trails, led bird walks, and contributed to the newsletter.
Many Old Chatham Friends and neighbors were present for Elisabeth’s 65th birthday celebration at Powell House, and will always remember her delighted amazement when a Scottish bagpiper began playing outside the ballroom windows – a surprise arranged by Kate and a telling example of their devotion to each other. Their compassion for and commitment to protecting and feeding wildlife is legendary, as exemplified by the many bird feeders around their home and also in “Ode to Badger,” a tender tribute to a woodchuck who dined each day in the garden.
In recent years, Elisabeth generously shared her time and her trained therapy dog, Cole, in visits to schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. A member of writing groups, she sometimes read her work on public radio, and she was committed to helping other elders to continue living independently.
Elisabeth’s last gift to Old Chatham Meeting was the opportunity to be present with her in her final weeks as she journeyed through the agony of pancreatic cancer. Those among us who offered a ministry of presence to Elisabeth are blessed by that experience, and will join with others for the interment of ashes at Rayville one spring day when the bluebirds have returned to their box and the flowering shadblow tree which Elisabeth planted is in full bloom over the bench inscribed ‘Kate Dunham and Elisabeth Grace.’
Susan Landesman Roberts
Susan Landesman Roberts Memorial Minute
Susan Landesman Roberts was born July 1, 1941 and died on May 30, 2018. She was a lifelong Quaker and long time member of Old Chatham Monthly Meeting. Susan supported Old Chatham Meeting financially and through her involvement in Outreach Peace and Justice activities. Susan was a regular participant in the social justice movie nights, volunteered to help at events sponsored by the Chatham Peace Initiative and was interested in the issues around fairness in the criminal justice system. She embodied Friends’ beliefs in fully developing and using one’s gifts in the world. She led a life filled with music, family, animals, exploration of the natural world, social work, peace work and public administration. She had a gifted intellect and an infinite capacity for hard labor.
From a one room schoolhouse in Greenhaven, NY, Susan went on to receive her undergraduate degree in music. Her love of opera led her to learn French, German and Italian to better appreciate it. A lifelong musician, she dabbled at the cello and banjo, but her first passion was piano, and she brought her baby grand with her to the farmhouse she shared with her second husband, Neil.
In the 1960’s Susan moved to Manhattan as a single mother with her son Peter. There she found employment with the city Department of Social Services and received a masters in Social Work and one in Public Administration. She moved to the Albany area to work for the NY State Department of Mental Hygiene and at the same time earned a doctorate in Public Administration from New York University. She became head of the Office of Professions Division of Professional Licensing Services.
In addition to her work with the state, Susan was a farmer. She raised chickens and goats, and pictures attest to her sheer joy at being used as a kid jungle gym. Susan didn’t tell jokes but she put people at ease and made them smile. For a quarter of a century, she put this gift to good use by inviting the local preschool class to a day at the farm. Generations of families came out to collect eggs, watch goats being milked, ride on Captain the country gentleman’s horse and drive the antique tractor.
Susan found spiritual renewal in the natural world. She loved kayaking, canoeing, hiking and snowshoeing. Weekends would often find her in the Adirondacks or the Catskills paddling or climbing the high peaks. She is on the Catskill 3500 Club member list and the ADK46ers roster.
Family was an integral part of Susan. She delighted in her son, Peter Eisler, an award winning journalist with Reuters, his wife, Mimi and their two sons, Henry and Gray (Graham). She chose her second husband Neil Roberts because as she put it, “you make me laugh” and spent four decades immersed with him in the essentials of life well-lived: presence, connection, joy and love.
Susan Landesman Roberts was born July 1, 1941 and died on May 30, 2018. She was a lifelong Quaker and long time member of Old Chatham Monthly Meeting. Susan supported Old Chatham Meeting financially and through her involvement in Outreach Peace and Justice activities. Susan was a regular participant in the social justice movie nights, volunteered to help at events sponsored by the Chatham Peace Initiative and was interested in the issues around fairness in the criminal justice system. She embodied Friends’ beliefs in fully developing and using one’s gifts in the world. She led a life filled with music, family, animals, exploration of the natural world, social work, peace work and public administration. She had a gifted intellect and an infinite capacity for hard labor.
From a one room schoolhouse in Greenhaven, NY, Susan went on to receive her undergraduate degree in music. Her love of opera led her to learn French, German and Italian to better appreciate it. A lifelong musician, she dabbled at the cello and banjo, but her first passion was piano, and she brought her baby grand with her to the farmhouse she shared with her second husband, Neil.
In the 1960’s Susan moved to Manhattan as a single mother with her son Peter. There she found employment with the city Department of Social Services and received a masters in Social Work and one in Public Administration. She moved to the Albany area to work for the NY State Department of Mental Hygiene and at the same time earned a doctorate in Public Administration from New York University. She became head of the Office of Professions Division of Professional Licensing Services.
In addition to her work with the state, Susan was a farmer. She raised chickens and goats, and pictures attest to her sheer joy at being used as a kid jungle gym. Susan didn’t tell jokes but she put people at ease and made them smile. For a quarter of a century, she put this gift to good use by inviting the local preschool class to a day at the farm. Generations of families came out to collect eggs, watch goats being milked, ride on Captain the country gentleman’s horse and drive the antique tractor.
Susan found spiritual renewal in the natural world. She loved kayaking, canoeing, hiking and snowshoeing. Weekends would often find her in the Adirondacks or the Catskills paddling or climbing the high peaks. She is on the Catskill 3500 Club member list and the ADK46ers roster.
Family was an integral part of Susan. She delighted in her son, Peter Eisler, an award winning journalist with Reuters, his wife, Mimi and their two sons, Henry and Gray (Graham). She chose her second husband Neil Roberts because as she put it, “you make me laugh” and spent four decades immersed with him in the essentials of life well-lived: presence, connection, joy and love.
Ann Rommel
Old Chatham Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
Memorial Minute for Ann Rommel
11/13/1937 – 10/27/2020
Memorial Meeting under the Care of Old Chatham Meeting 11/15/2020
Ann, a long-time attender, transferred her Membership from Concord Meeting, PYM, in Concordville, Pennsylvania. She has been a member of our meeting since 2005. She served as a member of Outreach, Peace and Justice, Fundraising, and Welcoming committees, as well as our representative to the Chatham Interfaith Association, helping to arrange interdenominational Thanksgiving services. Around fifty years ago Ann and her husband Bob were co-directors of Powell House’s Youth Program.
Ann had a warm heart and smile and a gentle laugh, and often greeted attenders and newcomers, providing them with name tags and a brochure about our meeting. She was a stalwart at all our book and art sales and the jazz concerts for the meetinghouse and the food sales at intermissions, all fundraisers for our new Meetinghouse. She attended Friends General Conference Gathering. She was quick to lend money where it was needed without worrying about repayment.
Ann was instrumental in setting up our Meeting’s exhibit against Solitary Confinement at the Chatham Fair, for 2017 and 2018, handling the transportation of the cell replica, the arrangements for the fair booth and staffing many of the shifts. She helped advertise our film series and was always the first arrival to set up for the potluck that proceeded it, often bringing deviled eggs. She would shake out the tablecloths after we had struggled with the unwieldy tables, make the coffee and set the tables. As a member of the Welcoming committee, she always brought the bagels, and took the donation of canned goods to the Chatham Area Silent Food pantry.
Ann loved music and frequently attended concerts in the area. She was in the Ghent Band and enjoyed playing the piano. She was an avid reader and loved to lend and borrow books. Once she saw Forsythia bloom twice when winter retreated, and she kept a colorful garden. She often exclaimed how beautiful the pasture was behind our meetinghouse. Ann was always available to talk by phone. As the editor and publisher of Homebuyer’s Guide for 23 years, she was well known in Chatham. Once when she fell in her yard and a neighbor helped her up, Ann said the entire town knew about it within 15 minutes. Ann died from a heart attack in the arms of her son Gage. An oak tree will rustle this Spring planted at the Meetinghouse in remembrance of her.
Memorial Minute for Ann Rommel
11/13/1937 – 10/27/2020
Memorial Meeting under the Care of Old Chatham Meeting 11/15/2020
Ann, a long-time attender, transferred her Membership from Concord Meeting, PYM, in Concordville, Pennsylvania. She has been a member of our meeting since 2005. She served as a member of Outreach, Peace and Justice, Fundraising, and Welcoming committees, as well as our representative to the Chatham Interfaith Association, helping to arrange interdenominational Thanksgiving services. Around fifty years ago Ann and her husband Bob were co-directors of Powell House’s Youth Program.
Ann had a warm heart and smile and a gentle laugh, and often greeted attenders and newcomers, providing them with name tags and a brochure about our meeting. She was a stalwart at all our book and art sales and the jazz concerts for the meetinghouse and the food sales at intermissions, all fundraisers for our new Meetinghouse. She attended Friends General Conference Gathering. She was quick to lend money where it was needed without worrying about repayment.
Ann was instrumental in setting up our Meeting’s exhibit against Solitary Confinement at the Chatham Fair, for 2017 and 2018, handling the transportation of the cell replica, the arrangements for the fair booth and staffing many of the shifts. She helped advertise our film series and was always the first arrival to set up for the potluck that proceeded it, often bringing deviled eggs. She would shake out the tablecloths after we had struggled with the unwieldy tables, make the coffee and set the tables. As a member of the Welcoming committee, she always brought the bagels, and took the donation of canned goods to the Chatham Area Silent Food pantry.
Ann loved music and frequently attended concerts in the area. She was in the Ghent Band and enjoyed playing the piano. She was an avid reader and loved to lend and borrow books. Once she saw Forsythia bloom twice when winter retreated, and she kept a colorful garden. She often exclaimed how beautiful the pasture was behind our meetinghouse. Ann was always available to talk by phone. As the editor and publisher of Homebuyer’s Guide for 23 years, she was well known in Chatham. Once when she fell in her yard and a neighbor helped her up, Ann said the entire town knew about it within 15 minutes. Ann died from a heart attack in the arms of her son Gage. An oak tree will rustle this Spring planted at the Meetinghouse in remembrance of her.