In her book, The First Quarter Century; 54-79, Elizabeth Bradford writes: “Another enthusiastic contributor to the spread of bellringing was Helen M. Runkle, a quiet, self-effacing musician from Gloucester, Massachusetts. She had a small set of bells but arranged the music so skillfully that it was most delightful to hear. Her six Cape Ann Ringers rang from memory, expertly handling the two octave set without using a table. Ringers in charge of more than two bells had their bells conveniently hung from ribbons around their necks. One hanging bell could be exchanged readily for another. It was delightful to watch the graceful, spirit, and sensitive ringing…Mrs. Runkle, though modest and self-effacing, succeeded in being among the first, if not the first, to have her bell arrangements published by J. Fischer and Brothers. Many a beginning group, or groups with as few as two octaves of bells, have enjoyed using her HANDBELL CONCERT, published in 1959.” In the September 1974 issue of Overtones, Richard Litterst wrote In Memoriam to Helen Runkle: “I knew Helen Runkle only through her work with handbells. For many years we would renew our acquaintance each August at Castle Hill in Ipswich, Massachusetts. During the 1950s, it was almost a tradition that she would bring her Cape Ann Ringers from Glouchester for one of the demi-concerts. There would always be five young girls of post senior high age who would stand in a single line and play, from memory, a program on the small diatonic set of bells numbering about 17 altogether. “Little used extra bells were hung on a ribbon around the neck; when such a bell was needed, one of the main bells (right or left hand, was temporarily retired to the little finger of the other hand, thus freeing one hand to ring the suspended bell. Extra bells for other pieces rested at the feet of the ringers.” “On May 23, 1974, Helen Runkle died. Of her work for, and participating in, the New England Guild of English Handbell Ringers and the early days of the formation the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, we are, indeed, the beneficiaries. It was most fitting that she held honorary membership in AGEHR. God bless!”
