Sally Fisher, Beloved Inwood Activist And Community Leader, Dies

INWOOD, NY — Sally Fisher, a longtime Inwood activist and member of Upper Manhattan's Community Board 12, died this week.

Fisher is the current treasurer of Community Board 12, the co-founder of Friends of Inwood Hill Park and a founding member of the Washington heights/Inwood Food Council.

"In loving memory of Inwood activist, Sally Fisher," Rep. Adriano Espaillat tweeted out Friday morning. "We will miss her dearly."

Fisher worked as a documentary photographer, with a focus on street scenes and nature subjects. You can view a collection of her work on a website dedicated to her photos.

She was a prominent activist and protector of Upper Manhattan's parks and shoreline restoration projects.

A few weeks ago on Nov. 13, the New York City Parks Department and civic leaders held a tree planting ceremony honoring the impact of Fisher's work in Upper Manhattan.

The mission of her organization — Friends of Inwood Hill Park— is to engage the surrounding community in restoring, conserving and enjoying Manhattan's last natural forest and wetlands.

"Sally's dedicated advocacy, engagement, and stewardship of Inwood Hill Park and the community beyond will be celebrated with music, remarks and refreshments," read a description of the event.

In August, State Senator Robert Jackson honored Fisher as District 31's Woman of Distinction Award recipient.

Tributes to Fisher have poured in on Facebook in recent days.

"Mourning your loss Sally Fisher — such a positive presence, gone," Casey Harris wrote. "We are heartbroken."

"Sally Fisher, a force for good in our community," Jessica Matei wrote. "She is already missed. So glad tributes were given while she was still here."

Laura Daigen-Ayala kept it local in her tribute to Fisher, writing simply — "She made the neighborhood a better place."