The following message was sent to colleagues in the National Park Service by Michael Reynolds, Deputy Regional Director, National Park Service-Northeast Region in Philadelphia, Penn. As soon as more details about funeral arrangements are announced, we will share them on this blog. Sandy’s many friends in Lowell are saddened by her passing. Her contributions to the development of Lowell National Historical Park were enormous and continue today to distinguish the Lowell Park as one of the best in America. She is survived by her husband, the acclaimed Irish fiddle player Seamus Connolly.—PM

“The entire Northeast Region mourns the passing of  Chrysandra L. “Sandy” Walter, former deputy regional director for Northeast Region. Sandy retired in December 2007 with over 38 years of service, after serving as deputy director for the Northeast Region since 1994. Her previous assignments included serving as deputy regional director for National Capital Region. She served as superintendent of Lowell National Historical Park, where she established the Tsongas Industrial History Center in partnership with the University of Massachusetts Lowell and created New England’s largest “free” multicultural folk festival, the Lowell Folk Festival, which attracts over 100,000 visitors every summer. She has also served tours as deputy superintendent at Gateway NRA, superintendent at Lyndon B. Johnson NHP, and unit manager at Golden Gate NRA, where she established a highly successful hostel in partnership with the American Youth Hostel organization. Funeral arrangements and condolence information is forthcoming.”