ORLEANS - Isabel "Belle" Lincoln Elmer of Orleans, Massachusetts, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 27. She died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Belle was born on August 5, 1927, in New York City, the daughter of Frederic W. Lincoln and Isabel R. Lincoln. She attended the Chapin School in New York City and graduated from the Westover School in Middlebury, Conn in 1945. She graduated from Barnard College with a degree in Zoology in 1949, and was very proud of the fact that she received her diploma from Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was president of Columbia University at that time. She worked in cancer research at Sloan Kettering in New York City from 1949 until her marriage to Stephen B. (Buzz) Elmer in 1951, and later returned to Sloan Kettering as a volunteer in the Chemotherapy Division in Rye, N.Y. from 1963-70. Belle and Buzz lived in Greenwich, Connecticut, where they raised their four children. In 1970, the family moved to Orleans, Massachusetts, where they became one of the founding families of the newly incorporated Community of Jesus.
In 1987, Belle wrote a compelling and transparent autobiography entitled Cinderella Rockefeller, that sold over 22,000 copies.
She loved people and enjoyed many forms of volunteer work. Her husband was the Director of the Heydon Trust in Bermuda, where they both served as volunteers from 1975-85. Following their return to Orleans, Belle continued as a trustee on the Board of the Heydon Trust until 2010. She was also on the Board of the Directors of The Community of Jesus from 1993?97. She assisted with nursery school classes, was a member of the Bi-Centennial Commission of Orleans from 1993?98, helped to operate For A Song thrift shop, and worked on the archives of the history of The Community of Jesus. Belle and Buzz were vowed members of The Community of Jesus and were very instrumental in building the Church of the Transfiguration. They were dedicated parents and grandparents, as well as beloved mentors and friends to the many people whose lives they touched. They loved to travel and visited numerous countries in Europe as well as Israel, Turkey, and China.
Belle was predeceased by Buzz, her beloved husband of 56 years, and her dear sister Calista "Cal" Harder. She is survived by two sisters, Percilla Chappell and Florence Short. She leaves her four children, Sister Monica Elmer, Dr. David B. Elmer, Lucy Lincoln Elmer, and Victoria Elmer Kanaga, and her son-in-law, Clinton Kanaga, all of Cape Cod. She also leaves six grandchildren: Peter Elmer, Christopher Elmer, Eric Elmer, Brother Anthony Kanaga, Joshua Kanaga and Lindsey Kanaga, and three great-grandchildren. Belle was extremely grateful for the outpouring of love, prayer, and support given to her by her Community Family, friends and caregivers, especially in these last months. Her family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to each and every one.
A service celebrating the life of Belle Elmer will be held at the Church of the Transfiguration at the Community of Jesus, Rock Harbor, Orleans, MA on Monday October 31 at 11 am. All are welcome. Burial will follow in the Orleans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Church of the Transfiguration, Box 700, Orleans, MA 02653 (findagrave.com)