Police have declared the death of an 80-year-old upstate activist a homicide.
Clarkstown police say that Peggy Nadell was stabbed. Her body was found by her daughter Saturday morning at her home in the hamlet of Valley Cottage.
The retired human resources executive was a longtime Rockland County Democratic committeewoman.
"You just can't believe that it happened," said Clarkstown Supervisor Alexander Gromack, who knew Nadell for 20 years.
Nadell, who, according to neighbors, has lived alone since her husband died years ago, was outspoken on environmental and women's rights issues. She fought large developments including the expansion of the Palisades Center.
"She got involved in local elections but her whole premise was to make the community a better place to live," said Gromack.
She also was active in the Valley Cottage Civic Association and served on the board of Keep Rockland Beautiful.
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Neighbors said Nadell frequently encouraged them to get involved in civic issues.
"Always petitioning, saying 'I need your signatures!" said John and Dori Amtmann, who lived next door to Nadell for 14 years and were close to the widow, who they described as a "wonderful, really nice lady."
Gromack said: "It was an individual that had a love affair for our town and cared deeply about the community, and her death is just shocking to all of us."
The Amtmanns said the neighborhood, including their three young children, was shaken by Nadell's killing.
"Last night, my little guy didn't want to go to sleep. He said, 'Check my windows,'" said John Amtmann.
Police have not made an arrest or identified a suspect.
Rob Schmitt contributed to this report.
