Our Commonwealth and the Town of South Hadley lost one of its brightest lights with the passing of Sarah Etelman on Friday, June 3. Sarah served as a Selectboard member in South Hadley for almost nine years, including a stint as chair, being re-elected repeatedly by South Hadley's grateful citizens. She also chaired the South Hadley Democratic Town Committee for many years and served previously on the Hampshire Council of Governments and the South Hadley Falls Neighborhood Association. As development director for Girls Inc. in Holyoke, she was a fierce advocate and supporter of women's and youth rights.
Diagnosed
with pancreatic cancer almost three years ago, not long after turning
50, Sarah didn't let the bully that is cancer stop her from continuing
to work on behalf of South Hadley citizens, nor did she step back from
her continued mentoring of other female candidates for public office.
She served until she simply couldn't, and well past when many would have
turned to their own interests. Sarah's legacy includes a stronger South
Hadley, and for those of us she leaves behind--buoyed by Sarah's
incredible bravery--a renewed commitment to fight for the good and help
vanquish the bad.
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