Sally Newell Belding died peacefully November 22nd, 2019 at Essex Meadows Health Center in Essex, CT with her family by her side. Born Sally Chase Erdman November 7, 1925 to Sally Williams Erdman and Albert William Erdman, Sally grew up in West Hartford and summered in Groton Long Point. She attended Oxford School, graduating in 1943, and completed one year at Smith College before marrying Robert L. Newell in 1944. They resided in West Hartford and Groton Long Point throughout their vibrant 56-year marriage, where they raised their five children. Widowed in 2001, Sally married Maxwell Merrick Belding with whom she shared a truly joyous 17-year marriage. Sally was raised in a very musical family and brought her love for piano and singing to her own family and she sang with the Better Half Notes for a number of years. Fittingly, Sally died on the feast day of St. Cecilia, patron saint of musicians. She had a variety of interests including tennis, paddle tennis, sailing, and a particular passion for golf and bridge. She participated in an investment club, becoming its Treasurer, and was a member of her local garden club. She also found time to volunteer as a teacher's aide at her children's elementary school and was a dedicated volunteer for cancer patients and various charities. Sally's first priority was always her husband and family. She was a long time member of The Hartford Golf Club, The Town and County Club, and Asylum Hill Congregational Church, and regularly attended services at St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Old Lyme during her later years. Sally Newell Belding was a genuine lady: beautiful, positive, generous, fun-loving and kind. She lived her life with extraordinary grace and dignity and will be missed. Sally is survived by: her husband, Maxwell Merrick Belding; daughters, Sally Huss, Helen Douglas and Katharine Newell, and son, William Newell; son-in-law John Huss and daughter-in-law Meg Newell; step-daughters Ruth Belding Nardini and Roxanne Keyser (husband Ralph); six grandchildren; John and Robert Huss (wives Sonya and Carroll respectively), Jack, Charlie, Russell and Maggie Newell; four great grandchildren; Xavier, Adele, Scarlett and Ivy Huss; three step-grandchildren;
three step-great grandchildren; and her brother, Anthony W. Erdman. She was predeceased by her son, Robert L. Newell, Jr. and her sister, Joan Williams St. John.
The family will host a celebration of Sally's life on Friday, January 3rd from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Essex Meadows, 30 Bokum Road, Essex, CT. Burial will be private. Donations in Sally's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook Street, I-91 Tech Ctr, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 and the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492. The D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, Wethersfield has been entrusted with arrangements. To share a memory of Sally with her family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.
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