ASHBY — Family and friends, and residents of the quaint community of Ashby, were blessed to have had Sue Ellen Siebert in their lives.
She was a New England native who studied both art and literature at Rivier College in Nashua, N.H., earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2006.
She grew up in Pepperell, later making her home with her husband, Loren Siebert in Ashby in 2010, where she worked out of her home studio, a little cozy space where her creativity took place and her dogs, Stella and Winston, kept her company.
With the sad news of Siebert’s passing in July, the community will come together to honor her at the Sue Ellen Siebert Celebration at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at the Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main St.
“Sue created a real community of artists at the Ashby Free Public Library,” said Heather Brodie Perry, Ph.D and director of the Ashby Free Public Library. “She gave classes in collage, nature journaling and doodling. She held weekly workshops called ‘Art is for Everyone’ and ‘Art for Everyone Creative Journaling Group’ where people spanning the generations created art together.”
Perry says Siebert was instrumental in inspiring the library to do more for artists in the community by promoting their work.
“She co-founded the Ashby Library Artists Facebook Group and helped plan the art shows that are planned to be annual events at the library,” said Perry.
The next art show is planned for Saturday, Nov. 11.
She illustrated for local authors, and she had the opportunity to exhibit at local galleries in Milford, NH, along with the Ashby Free Public Library.
From the time she was a young girl, Siebert would draw for hours, wanting to become an artist, “to create art for the sake of art”.
She was always excited to meet other artists, to talk about her love of the creative process of bringing something that had never existed before into being.
Embracing creativity for its own sake, is what made Siebert most happy.
Siebert had so many interests and passions over the years. Whether it was horseback riding on her horse Chico, decorating her home, biking, caring for her dogs, writing, or creating art, she was known to be exceptional at whatever she chose to do.
She will be long remembered by all those who loved her for her good sense of humor, her great laugh, and the love she had for the natural world.
“Her impact at the library will be felt long into the future. Her work was the first show when I became director of the library and her works are the first in the permanent collection of art at the Ashby Free Public Library,” Perry said. “She gave generously of her time and talent and will be greatly missed.”
For more information on the Ashby Free Public Library, and this celebration of life, visit ashbylibrary.org or call 978-386-5377.
