Sisters Donate Land to Town

by Paula Eisenberg

Hallie Sether's daughters at dedication of conservation land. Left: JoAnn Sether Bowes Right: Nancy Sether Masterson

(October 23, 2002) Hallie Sether's daugthers wanted to honor their mother's memory, so they found a way to acknowledge both her love of the natural world and the Town of Mamaroneck's need to preserve open spaces. JoAnn Sether Bowes and Nancy Sether Masterson donated a heavily wooded parcel of land on Durham Road to the Town, with the stipulation that it be preserved forever from development.

Mrs. Sether wrote many articles about nature for the Daily Times in the 1960s and 1970s, according to Town of Mamaroneck Conservationist Elizabeth Paul. "She was a naturalist who made sure her daughters appreciated the environment," said Ms. Paul. "They loved growing up in this area, and it's great that the family wanted to make this wonderful gift to the Town." While the land will never be developed for housing, Ms. Paul hopes someday to clear it of invasive non-native vines and perhaps put in a path so birdwatchers can enjoy the property.

Phyllis Wittner, a Town of Mamaroneck Councilwoman, also praised the Sether sisters for their gift. "This marvelous donation is a very critical piece of land, not only for its beauty, but because it's important for flood retention. I noticed the last time we had a heavy rain that a lot of water was pooling there," she said. "So it's catching water that would otherwise be causing problems in the neighborhood."

At a ceremony on October 11 at the site of the new Sether Woods Conservation Area, Ms. Bowes, who lives in Pennsylvania now, and her sister Ms. Masterson, of Texas, were presented with albums of their mother's articles culled from the old Daily Times. "They hadn't seen most of the columns," said Wittner. "I think they were really touched by the gesture."

Wittner wishes more area landowners would follow the Sether sisters' example and donate land to the community for conservation. "There are significant tax benefits," she said, "And of course, it's just a really good thing to do for the environment. We don't have much open space left."

In thanking the Sether sisters at the dedication ceremony, Supervisor Valerie Moore O'Keeffe said, "I hope that your very generous gift will serve as a model for future donations of open space for our Town."

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