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Public Servant From Elmsford Who Dedicated Life To Less Fortunate Dies

A Westchester woman who spent decades working toward helping the less fortunate through various organizations and churches is being remembered for her effectiveness and big heart. 

Lola Daniels Hunter of Elmsford. 

Lola Daniels Hunter of Elmsford. 

Photo Credit: Lee's Funeral Home, LLC

Lola Daniels Hunter of Elmsford died on Sunday, May 12, according to her obituary. Her age was not made public. 

Born in Tuskegee, Alabama, Hunter eventually moved to Westchester, where she entrenched herself in her community through various committees and organizations. This included eight years as President of the White Plains Greenburgh Chapter of the NAACP; Board Membership in the Greenburgh Police and Advisory Committee; Treasurer of the North Elmsford Civic Association; and a Board Member of the Westchester County Senior Program. 

She also spent time working as a District Director for the Commissioner of the County Social Services department, during which she would consistently provide help to those struggling, according to Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, who worked with her while serving on the Westchester County Board of Legislators in the 1980s.

"For eight years I would call her daily asking her to help constituents who had contacted me," Feiner said, adding, " I have worked with many public servants in my 40 years as an elected official. No official, assistant to an official, liaison to elected officials comes close to being as effective and helpful in problem solving as Lola." 

One example of this, according to Feiner, was when a Hastings woman named Margaret Shewmake suffering from diabetes faced being sent to a nursing home because Social Services wanted to stop paying for her homecare services. 

When Feiner reached out to Hunter about this, she "found a loophole in the law" and helped Shewmake keep the care she required at home, he said. 

"She was passionate about helping the less fortunate," Feiner said, also calling her an "exceptional member of our community." 

Hunter was also an integral part of several churches, including the First Baptist Church of Mamaroneck, where she was First Lady. 

She was also a member of Bethel Baptist Church in White Plains for more than five decades, where she served as Chairperson for church-wide functions, as a Deaconess, and as a Sunday School teacher. 

Additionally, Hunter also earned her Bachelor of Arts from the College of New Rochelle and a Master of Public Administration from Pace University. 

"Lola leaves a legacy of love and cherished memories," her obituary said.

Hunter is survived by her daughter, Priscilla; her brother, Freddie; her sister, Theodosia; and countless other family members and friends. 

A memorial service for Hunter will be held on Saturday, June 15 at 10 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church in White Plains at 1 Fisher Ct. 

Click here to read her full obituary. 

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