Scheduled Services

PostHeaderIcon SYLVIA BELL KRIEBEL of AMHERST, MASS, March 22, 1928 – June 16, 2015

Amherst, Kriebel, Sylvia Bell, A Montessori teacher and peace and justice activist, died after a long battle with Parkinson’s on June 16, 2015 in Amherst. She was born on March 22, 1928 in Philadelphia PA. She is survived by her daughter Leslie of Stow MA and her son David of Gloucester MA. She was predeceased by her oldest son, Nathan who died in 1970. 

Ms. Kriebel was raised in Philadelphia and from an early age was active in peace and civil rights activities. She first demonstrated her lifelong commitment to social justice in 1957 when, as a young mother she moved with her former husband John and three small children into Concord Park, one of the nation’s first intentionally integrated housing developments, in Bucks County PA. 

Ms. Kriebel was a devoted educator, lifeling learner, and nature enthusiast. She received her training as a Montessori teacher at The Association Montessori International/USA in Philadelphia in the 1970s, and later earned an advanced degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.  In 1976 she moved to Florence, MA and founded The Children’s House, a Montessori pre-school, which she ran for its first ten years. The expanded school continues to grow and thrive to this day. 

She was an ardent believer in the strength of community and was a founding member of Pioneer Valley Cohousing, to which she dedicated countless hours and where she leaves many dear friends. Among her numerous activities, Ms. Kriebel was a tireless member of the Women in Black who stood vigil for peace every Friday for more than four years in downtown Amherst. 

Ms. Kriebel was affiliated with both Quaker meetings and Unitarian fellowships at different times and for the last 20 years was active in Mt. Toby Friends Meeting. A memorial service will be held at the meetinghouse, 194 Long Plain Rd, Leverett MA on September 26, 2015 at 2:00 pm. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 N Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002. 

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

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