Sara Emerson Farwell

Sara Emerson Farwell of Waltham died Sunday, October 9, 2011 in Newton-Wellesley Hospital. She was 87.

She was born in Pasadena, California, on December 13, 1923, a daughter of the late American Composer Arthur Farwell and actress and writer, Gertrude (Brice) Farwell.

Sara studied at the New School of Dramatic Arts in New York City as well as the Actors Studio in New York City amongst classmates Marlin Brando and Elaine Stritch. Her love and talent was obvious for acting. She had an appearance and enjoyed the Broadway limelight in "Tea & Sympathy", a play about a lonely, misunderstood boarding school student. She also toured as a one-woman show in "The Belle of Amherst", which brought to life the poetry and the person of Emily Dickinson. She was extremely interested in classical music. Having attended Camp Arden in Vermont as a young child she developed a love, keen interest and devotion to all things Shakespeare.

She was a nationally recognized voice and speech teacher to dramatic actors at the University of Washington in Seattle, Yale University and SUNY (State University of New York) in Purchase.

While residing in Ossining, New York, she volunteered as theatrical director at the Sing Sing Prison in which she provided direction and encouragement to prisoners in its theater group. She was also active in "Go Act" which was an amateur drama organization.

A life-long peace activist Sara was and adamant and ardent proliferator of peace in mind, body and spirit. Her dream was to have a world that is at peace. May the soul of Sara Farwell now rest in peace.

She is predeceased by her son, David L. Milbert who died July 6, 2011, her daughter Judith Anne Milbert who died in 1969, her siblings, Brice Farwell, Arthur Farwell, Emerson Farwell, Cynthia Hensch and Beatrice Duncan, and her cousin, Ralph Waldo Emerson.

She leaves her daughter, Katherine E. Glass and her husband, Jonathan, of Maynard; her grandchildren, Robin James Glass and Joshua Emerson Glass; her daughter-in-law, K. Lisa (Jee) Milbert of Waltham; her brother, Jonathan Farwell of Fort Collins, Colorado; nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Sara's life by gathering in The First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6 Eddy Street, Waltham, on Monday, November 14th where her Memorial Service will be celebrated at 1 pm. Burial will be private.

Sara was passionate about supporting Native American Children. Please honor her memory with a contribution to the St. Joseph's Indian School, 1301 N. Main Street, Chamberlain, South Dakota 57325.