Following is the obituary for SARA HARVEY BREWER (VAIL), submitted by the family.
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Sara Harvey Brewer (Vail) passed away peacefully on Jan. 15, 2022, at her home in Beverly, Mass., surrounded by family.
She was predeceased by her brother, Sebert Brewer, as well as by her former husbands, Richard Vail and Peter Ball.
She is survived by her four children, Garrett Vail of Waldo, Maine, Sally Vail of Boston, Mass., Sam Vail of Southport and Will Vail of Westport, along with daughters-in-law, Michelle Walker of Waldo, Annie Vail of Southport and Ginger Vail of Westport.
She is also survived by her grandchildren Sam S. Vail of Rockland, Maine, Elle Vail of Westport and GraceAnn and Brodie Vail of Southport.
Raised in Chattanooga, Tenn., Harvey attended local schools and churches, attending Hollins College in Virginia where she earned a BA in English in 1958. She worked briefly at The Chattanooga Times, as well as The New York Times.
But Harvey did by far her best work as a mother. She met Richard Vail in Virginia where he was earning a law degree from UVA, and they married in 1960. Their son Garrett and daughter Sally were later both born in Atlanta in 1961 and 1962, respectively; son Sam was born in Orlando, Fla., in 1963, and son Will was born in Chattanooga in 1965. With four children under five years of age, Harvey thrived. Dick was on the road a lot, but Harvey seemed to love it.
When she and Richard moved to Westport in 1967, they intended to put down roots. All four children attended Westport schools, where Harvey was involved in the PTA as well as other political movements of the ’60s and 70s, especially the anti-Vietnam War movement. (For example, she caused a stir when she insisted Little League baseball players wear black armbands to honor the dead in 1971).
When the kids graduated from Staples, one by one, Harvey did various jobs but none seemed to fuel her passion like mothering.
Harvey and Dick divorced in 1983. Harvey later met and married Peter Ball, then of Southport. They split time between homes in Maine and Florida, and divorced in 1994. Harvey then lived in multiple locations until settling in Beverly, Mass., to be cared for by family until her death at 85.
In her final years Harvey was most grateful for her children and grandchildren, especially her daughter Sally, whose skill and efforts made Harvey’s independence possible. Sons Garrett, Sam and Will visited frequently. All enjoyed her wit as well as her extraordinarily detailed memory for both her past and from the many many books she had read and apparently memorized in her life.
Harvey’s greatest gift by far was her unflagging support for all her children becoming themselves in whatever they chose to do. She was never critical or condescending; she seemed to understand throughout her life that the journey being taken by her kids and grandkids was, in fact, their own, and she understood it was best done without criticism. She took the long view that in the end all would be well. Indeed, it seems she was right.
A service for Harvey is planned at Trinity Church in Southport on April 9, at 11 a.m., with an informal reception to follow. Donations in Harvey’s memory can be made to the ASPCA, where Harvey and her family adopted many dogs and cats over the years.
Aunt Harvey was a beautiful human; I was so lucky to know her. Peace to all, love to all.
Harvey was mom to all of us growing up in the Green’s Farms neighborhood. I remember the day they moved in – they drove down the unfinished driveway in a black station wagon – Piggy. The house was always alive, it seemed to vibrate. I remember asking my dad why she talked funny – this is where I learned about the southern accent. Sleepovers always ended with a big breakfast in the kitchen with lots of kids, and loose gerbils running about. Saturdays in the fall meant touch football in the yard. One year they put up the space trolley – the thing on wires you could ride across. I remember the slot cars in the basement. Oh such good times, miss you all, Will, Sam, Sally, and Garrett.
hello i am harveys grand daughter and hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I remember my family telling me she was so short that the sterring wheel was right above her head and it was funny really funny but sad that she is gone now so um report back please!
hello i remember my family telling me that she was so short that the steiring wheel was above her head it was funny but i miss her so much!
hi!!!!! she was a great grandma and i miss her so much like all of you