LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Eleanor Fitchen, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of her community

WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of Eleanor Fitchen, noting the significance of
her purposeful life and accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, A long time resident of the Town of Southeast, New York,
Eleanor Fitchen helped shape the region through her convictions on
historic and open-space preservation; and
WHEREAS, In 1996, community opposition to Hoyts Cinemas' plans for a
proposed 10-screen theater on Route 6 led to Eleanor Fitchen and others
forming the Concerned Residents of Southeast; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Eleanor Fitchen founded Southeast Open Spaces
with her husband, Paul, which was the predecessor of the Putnam County
Land Trust, and the Landmarks Preservation Society of Southeast; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to safeguarding pieces of the past, Eleanor Fitchen
once locked herself and a granddaughter in the Old Southeast Church on
Route 22 to prevent its destruction; she also worked tirelessly rehab-
bing the Walter Brewer House, a Greek-revival mansion that was built by
the founder of the village in 1850; and
WHEREAS, Eleanor Fitchen was born on October 9, 1912, in New York
City; her father, Chester Beach, was a prominent sculptor who built the
stone home on Starr Ridge Road; and
WHEREAS, In 1934, Eleanor Fitchen graduated from Vassar College in
Poughkeepsie and married Paul Fitchen; the couple moved permanently to
Southeast when he retired in the late 1960s; and
WHEREAS, Eleanor Fitchen is survived by two daughters, Ellen Tappan
and Anne Burton, 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, all of
whom felt privileged to be a part of her life and rejoiced in her many
achievements; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Eleanor Fitchen leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all she served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Eleanor Fitchen, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of her community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Eleanor Fitchen.