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Assistant Managing Editor EAST LONGMEADOW The artistic works of Sheila Osgood continue to live on after her passing. While she contributed her craft to a number of initiatives, her most noted piece was the creation of the East Longmeadow town seal. Osgood was one of more than a dozen entrants who answered the call to design the town's emblem for a contest hosted during East Longmeadow's centennial celebration in 1994. "Her basic hobby was art. That was her field," shared Bill, Osgood's husband of 52 years. "She dabbled in art of all kinds. She was a very versatile artist. She was a gal who had a strong feeling about her ability." Marilyn Richards, who was Board of Selectmen chair during that time, said in recognition of Osgood's "service to the town [Stephen Manning, Lawrence Levine and I] purchased the original painting of the seal and donated it to the town which is now on display in the hallway outside the town hall hearing room." At an early age Osgood became interested in drawing and sketching. In the initial phases of her career she worked as an illustrator at the former Eastern States Farmer Exchange in West Springfield and also took courses in West Port, Conn., where she received a complimentary letter from famed artist Norman Rockwell. She later worked for department stores, educational institutions and her works were often displayed in Mercy Hospital. She also participated in the East Longmeadow Senior Chorus, Golden Girls and Ms. Senior Mass Pageant. "It was sad to learn of her passing and we all remember fondly of her more active days in East Longmeadow and have her design of the seal to remember her in the future," Richards added. | ||||||
