A Life Well Lived

Mommer was born in 1920 in England. During World War II she, being a conscientious objector, volunteered to drive ambulances for the Friends unit in China. It was there that she met Colin Bell, a fellow CO and Brit who later became her husband. Together they embraced the Quaker ideals of nonviolence, caring for others, and living simply. In their time together, they were major parts of Quaker organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and Honolulu, Hawaii. Upon retiring, they pursued a more rural lifestyle, and ended up purchasing a farm in Fluvanna County, Virginia. In 1988 Colin passed away. I was five at the time, and only have a few memories of him.

After Colin's death, Mommer began her life anew. She became a primary fixture of the Charlottesville Friend's Meeting and for many years worked as a receptionist at a local dentist. Eventually she changed jobs to work at the front desk of the local library. Years later, when she moved to the Sandy Spring Friend's Retirement Community, she became the program coordinator, and arranged talks and showings for the residents. Whatever her position, she took her charge with gusto, and preferred working with others.

Always eager to chat, one could spend hours talking with Mommer about any number of topics. As a boy, I often got home late because I had stopped to talk with her. She was boisterous, a bit of a gossip, and likely to make amusing comments during dinner after a glass of wine. She was also generous, caring, and eager to praise. She loved learning and I would often get calls from her letting me know about programs on PBS. While at Sandy Spring, she and I compared notes when we both discovered we were watching "Planet Earth" at the same time. It's probably for the best she never learned to use the Internet; I believe she would have spent hours reading interesting articles and forwarding them on to everyone on her contact list.

Mommer touched many lives during her time, and all who met her were the better for it. Her life was a model of peace, dignity, and caring, and one which shaped my life in many ways. On November 10th, while surrounded by family, she passed away peacefully.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, November 22, 2008, at Friends House, 17340 Quaker Lane, Sandy Spring, Maryland 20860.

A second celebration will be held May 10, 2009, in Kent's Store, Virginia, a time when Mommer would hold her annual bird walk on our family farm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 or the Friends House Resident Assistance Fund, 17340 Quaker Lane, Sandy Spring, MD 20860.

Both of us were honored by the number of people who sent their wishes to us and to the family in this difficult time. The outpouring of love from both friends and family has been a much needed comfort, and we thank you all.