By Jeana Edmonds
On March 12, 2025 members of Grassroots Central Mass and friends gathered at 6 p.m. on the Brookfield Common to honor and bid farewell to our dear companion Sarah Heller. Sarah was absolutely central to the founding and development of Grassroots Central Mass. She was one of the original members of Brookfield Indivisible back in 2017 when we were first hit by the horrors of the 45th president. Sarah often hosted in her home the meetings of Brookfield Indivisible and shared her commitment to making this world of ours a little bit better every day.
In 2019 when we decided to broaden the group to include activists from more towns in the center of the state, Sarah took the lead in making that happen. I remember a group of us sitting around a table in her apartment trying to figure out effective ways of reaching out to leaders in our region and bringing them together to brainstorm actions to take and initiatives to implement. Through her tireless efforts, Grassroots Central Mass was born. Sarah worked hard to create our wonderful website and took on the role of managing our robust email system and admitting new members to the group. Sarah encouraged us to write postcards, contact our legislators, run for office ourselves, and work to preserve our fragile climate. Without Sarah I’m not sure that Grassroots Central Mass would have survived and thrived as it has.
Sarah was also a good friend to so many of us. Sarah’s warmth, generosity, good cheer, intelligence, infectious laugh, and loving ways will never be forgotten, and the tribute on the Common clearly demonstrated how important and beloved Sarah was to us.
Jeff C. spoke first telling of the postcard writing Sarah organized at her house and humorously commented on how his handwriting was not always appreciated. He also spoke about the Sip and Solve Climate Change Cafe organized in large part by Sarah and the enjoyable computer game Sarah and her husband Rudy developed for that event.
Jeana E. then read a memory sent in by Maureen D. — also related to our Sip and Solve climate event. Maureen wrote: “I remember Sarah at that first big meeting in Sturbridge being so friendly and vivacious.”
Jeana showed the photo of Sarah, Lynne M., and herself at that event and later gave that framed photo to Rudy to keep. The Sip and Solve Climate Change Cafe was the brainchild of Sarah and others on the Climate Committee she chaired at the time. She created wonderful graphics for the event, a photo booth, a list of resources, and a slide show chronicling the accomplishments of Grassroots Central Mass.
Helena P. spoke next about Sarah and her love of language, how they were able to share how wonderful being bilingual was, and how much Sarah and Rudy meant to her. It was through Sarah that we were able to host Helena as a speaker chronicling her own journey to the U.S. and how much people who are newly arrived to our nation give to all of us.
Nancy T. spoke next and read her memories of Sarah — focusing on her passion for nature and her strong advocacy and leadership. Nancy highlighted how Sarah would always be with us and we would always take inspiration from her.
Sue J. then spoke about how welcoming Sarah was and how comfortable she felt the minute she entered Sarah’s presence. Sue, like Jeff, spoke about the postcard writing Sarah prompted and how this reawakened Sue’s activism.
Danielle K.’s husband read the remembrance she wrote for Sarah:
Sarah Heller was an indomitable force in a gentle frame.
While mostly soft-spoken, Sarah spoke up:
At town meetings
In the press
To defend the common good
For the people and causes she supported.
While objectively overcommitted, she showed up:
At organizing meetings
Community events
Marches and rallies
Ready to help.
Without hesitation, she stepped up:
With a meeting spot
Campaign support
Technical assistance
And her time.
She was a person who brightened your day:
With a warm smile
A friendly greeting
A sympathetic ear.
And inspired the conviction with which she lived her life:
Sustainability
Justice
Respect for the earth
Solidarity with humankind.
We will remember Sarah with love and with action.
Eric V. then spoke about the incredible generosity of Sarah and Rudy. He told the story of having to move a large tree so it could be planted on the West Brookfield Common and how Sarah and Rudy loaned him their truck without a minute of hesitation.
Jeana spoke about how delighted Sarah always was to see Grassroots Central Mass grow and how the dedicated group of leaders in Grassroots gave Sarah confidence that the group would carry on her work.
And Sherry Z. sent a beautiful message which Jeana read and is excerpted here:
I am sad not to be with you all in person, but my spirit is here with you and in a larger way, Sarah’s spirit is here with all of us as well… When I moved here, Sarah told me about Grassroots Central Mass and invited me to join. What a relief and a delight to connect with a community of progressives… I am a practicing Buddhist, and one element of that practice is reciting a prayer for 49 days after someone’s death. This provides protection as they navigate the new realm in which they find themselves. It comforts me to light a candle and say this prayer for Sarah daily. Here are my favorite parts: ’guide Sarah as she passes from this world to the next. She is taking a great leap! May she live with courage and joy… Sarah has been borne away by the great ocean of birth and death; please keep her safe on her voyage… and give to Sarah whatever help she needs to bring her into joyful and peaceful states of existence.’
Our tribute neared its close when Eric sang Imagine by John Lennon. Some of us were moved to tears when we were invited to sing the final lines:
You may say that I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope one day you’ll join us and the world will live as one.
It felt to me like Sarah was singing as that inspired dreamer and we were those joining her.
Jeana then invited everyone to blow—with joy and thankfulness—some bubbles for Sarah to catch on her journey into the great beyond.
Thank you, Sarah, for all you have given us. We hope that we strengthen your legacy with every seed of change that we plant together!
