Judith Chatfield Schwerin

Judith Chatfield Schwerin

SHARON — Judith Chatfield Schwerin, 81, died on March 22, 2024, at her home in Sharon. The wife of Frederick W. Schwerin, Jr., also of Sharon, she was a beloved friend to many.

The daughter of Helen (Spencer) Chatfield and Sherwood Clark Chatfield, she was born in New York City, grew up in Chappaqua, New York, and spent summers in Sharon. Besides her husband, she is survived by her brother, William Chatfield, of Jacksonville, Florida.

A garden historian, author, and lecturer, she wrote four books about Italian gardens: “Boboli Gardens,” “A Tour of Italian Gardens,” “The Classic Italian Garden,” and “Gardens of the Italian Lakes.” She gave many illustrated lectures to many garden clubs and other organizations, including Sotheby’s, The Cooper-Hewitt Museum, the Italian Cultural Institute, and the Edith Wharton Restoration at the Mount.

She attended Horace Greeley High School and went on to receive her B.A. and M.A. degrees in art history from Syracuse University in 1964 and 1968 and a Master of Philosophy degree from the Courtauld Institute of the University of London in 1972. In 1967 she won a Fulbright scholarship to study the restoration of art in Florence, Italy after flooding in the city. She was also a visiting scholar at the American Academy of Rome for three years.

Judith was a member of the Century Association in New York City, the Sharon Women’s Club, and the Sharon Garden Club. She was also a worldwide traveler who explored countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and South America.

The Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon is in charge of arrangements. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 25 at Christ Church Episcopal in Sharon.

Instead of flowers, please send donations to the Little Guild of St. Francis in Cornwall, CT.

Latest News

Economic pressures jeopardize Connecticut's farming future

Marble Valley Farm in Kent leases land from the Kent Land Trust at below-market rates. The model enabled owner Megan Haney to grow her vegetable operation in an otherwise harsh economic climate for Connecticut farmers.

Photo by Sarah Lang

Last month, the USDA’s 2024 Land Values Summary reported that Connecticut has the third most expensive farm real estate in the country (tied with Massachusetts) at two times the northeast average for dollars per acre.

To Chelsea Gazillo, the senior New England policy manager for American Farmland Trust, these numbers reflect a “farmland access and succession crisis” that has impacted the state for “the last 15 years at least.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Amelia R. Wright

Falls Village – Amelia Rosalie (Betti) Wright, 91, of Falls Village died September 30, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Robert Kenneth Wright.

Amelia was born September 6, 1933 in Torrington, CT, daughter of the late Benjamin and Mary Eliza (Passini) Betti. Amelia worked at Camp Isabella Freedman as the Head Housekeeper. She was employed there for 35 years. She attended the Falls Village Congregational Church and had been very active at the Senior Center in Falls Village. She enjoyed collecting. She also enjoyed the craft classes offered by Adult Ed at the Housatonic Valley Regional High School. She enjoyed traveling, especially to the Cape, Vermont and New Hampshire. An avid flower person, Amelia had traveled to the major flower shows in both Boston and Philadelphia.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Osborn and her husband David of Falls Village, her son, Robert H. Wright of Falls Village and her son, Donald Wright and his wife Kate of Millbrook, NY; her sister, MaryAnn Betti of Falls Village; her grandchildren, Benjamin and Katie Osborn and Jacob Wright. Amelia is also survived by her great grandson, Gunner Osborn. Amelia was predeceased by her brother, Donald Betti.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in the Mountain View Cemetery, Sand Road, North Canaan, CT. Calling hours will be held at the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, North Canaan, CT 06018 on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Falls Village Volunteer Ambulance Association, 188 US-7 South, Falls Village, CT. 06031

Fashion and fun mark a century of service

Tom Barret shows off some Rummage Sale finds.

Natalia Zukerman

On Saturday, Sept. 28, the Cornwall Woman’s Society hosted its 100th anniversary celebration at Mohawk Mountain ski lodge.

“This celebration is to thank the people of Cornwall for their support and to celebrate the 100 years that the Woman’s Society has contributed to Cornwall and to needs near and far,” said Nancy Barr, co-chair of the Cornwall Woman’s Society (CWS).

Keep ReadingShow less
Haystack Festival returns to Norfolk

Now in its sixth year, the Haystack Book Festival brings together writers and thinkers in unmoderated conversation. Produced in conjunction with the Norfolk Foundation, whose mission is “to contribute to the vitality and sustainability of Norfolk, particularly in relation to the town’s natural setting and multiple artistic and cultural attractions,” the Haystack Book Festival takes place at the Norfolk Library. On Sunday, Oct. 6 at 1:30 p.m. the festival will have an event for middle grade readers at The HUB featuring Sarah Maslin Nir.

“We’re excited to be celebrating the sixth year of the festival. This year we have a great program discussing topics as wide ranging as ballet, interpreting the landscape, and looking at the horse as a treasured companion throughout history, along with other ideas that will be discussed on our stage,” says Michael Selleck co-director of the Haystack Book Festival.

Keep ReadingShow less