Renee Fell: A New Castle Historical Society Founder

From Beecher-Flook Funeral Home

Renee Murphy Fell, a long time resident of Chappaqua, New York, passed away June 17th 2013. She was 85 years young. 

Born Renee Marie Murphy on January 20th 1928 in Auburn, NY to Francis and Ada Murphy. She attended St. Alphonsus Grammar School, Auburn East High School, Auburn, NY and in 1949 received her nursing degree from St. Mary’s Hospital, School of Nursing, Rochester, NY. 

Her professional career began as a Surgical Nurse at Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY in 1951. She later worked for the New Castle Police Department as a School Crossing Guard and from 1983 to 1995 she was an Emergency Room Nurse at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, Ossining, NY. From 2002 to 2013, she was an Adult Page at the Chappaqua Public Library. 

One of the founding members of the New Castle Historical Society where she served as Vice President, Trustee and Co-Chair of the Chappaqua Antiques Show in 1970 & 1975. A long-time parishioner of the Church of St. John and St. Mary in Chappaqua and Our Lady of the Wayside in Millwood. Renee loved being an active member of the Chappaqua Neighbors Club, she was a diehard football fan, loved working in her gardens and she loved animals and antiques of all shapes, sizes and eras. 

Renee is survived by her beloved children, John Carter Fell and Nicole Pilar Fell; her brother George Michael Murphy and his wife Mary; her nephew and nieces, Michael George Murphy, Mary Renee Murphy Hastings, Sheila Ann van der Leeden, Theresa Jean Murphy, and great nieces Tara Marie Hasting and Jenna Nicole Hastings.

A Memorial Mass will be held Monday June 24th 2013 at 11am at the “little” Church of St. John and St. Mary, 15 St. Johns Place, Chappaqua NY, with a reception to follow at Quaker Hill Tavern, 61 Bedford Rd., Chappaqua, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in her memory to either: Office of Gift and donor Records, The University of Rochester Medical Center School of Nursing, 300 East River Road, P.O Box 270032, Rochester, NY 14627 or Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Student Assistance, BNY Mellon Lockbox 223623