HEALD, Hana Janjigian Newspaper owner, community activist and devoted mother Hana McEwen Janjigian Heald, 80, a longtime resident of Dedham, MA, died on December 24, 2020 in Frederick, MD. Hana passed away peacefully as a result of COVID-19. Born in Danville, PA on March 4, 1940, Hana grew up in Kingston, PA as the middle child of the late Edward R. Janjigian, M.D. and Hannah McEwen Janjigian. Hana is survived by her sister Jessie von Hippel and Jessie's husband Eric. Hana was predeceased by her brother Eddie, who died in 1958 in a tragic car accident. In 1968, Hana married James C. Heald, M.D., and they had three children together. After their divorce in 1978, Hana and her kids moved to Dedham and Hana was a systems analyst for Massachusetts General Hospital and New England Deaconess Hospital. In 1981, Hana became a weekly columnist for The Daily Transcript. In 1986, Hana was elected to a seat on the Dedham School Committee and also served several terms as a Dedham Town Meeting member, most recently in 2014. In 1990, Hana was among a group of advocates who, concerned about food insecurity, created The Dedham Food Pantry (DFP). Hana served as president of the DFP in 1992-93. In September 1993, Hana was among the founding staff of The Dedham Times, a weekly, independent newspaper. Seven months later, she became the newspaper's majority owner, and she played instrumental roles as a writer, photographer, publisher, editor, and mentor until she retired from the publication in 2018. Her son Scotty has worked at the paper since 2003 and is now its Managing Editor, and Hana's other son Jimmy has worked at The Times since 1995 and is its Publisher. Hana was a particular inspiration to her daughter who, like her mom, changed careers and now owns and operates Clove & Cedar Coffeebar, a specialty coffee shop with a community focus in Bethesda, Maryland. In the 2000s and 2010s, Hana dove fully into the role of grandparent. In the summer of 2018, Hana moved to Maryland to live near her daughter Janet and her family. Hana resided in Chevy Chase until October 2019, at which time she moved to Somerford Place in Frederick where she lived for 14 months. In addition to her sister and brother-in-law, Hana is survived by her three beloved children: Jimmy Heald and his wife Shannon, Janet Forlini and her husband E.J., and Scotty Heald; as well as four beloved grandchildren: Julia, Elena, Annie, and Charlie. Hana also leaves a cherished niece, Christiana von Hippel and her husband Andrew Cann, and a cherished nephew, Eric von Hippel. Since it isn't safe to gather now, Hana's family is hoping to hold a celebration of her life in the summer of 2021. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Hana's honor to one of the following organizations: The Dedham Food Pantry, 797 Providence Highway, Dedham, MA 02026 (www.dedhamfoodpantry.org). The News Literacy Project, 5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC, 20015, ( www.newslit.org). Arrangements by Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, FREDERICK, MD. Online condolences may be shared at www.keeneybasford.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from Jan. 8 to Jan. 10, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for HANA HEALD

14 Entries

Louise Edwards

March 4, 2022

I grew up across the street from the Janjigian family in Kingston. Hana's mother, also Hana, was very involved in the community. She baked a birthday cake for a neighbor child whose family didn't have the means to do it. She had so much energy. Her daughter, Hana was one of the most beautiful, talented and self-possessed people in school. Our father started a weekly newspaper called The West Side News. He would be so happy and proud of Hana for doing the same, in even more challenging times. Like Hana, my mother took photos, wrote copy, and collected news for our paper. It was a good life. I am sorry for your loss. I never knew where Hana went after high school because I was busy with my own life, but I rejoice to read about her full and productive life. Best wishes to her family and friends.

Elizabeth Martin

January 19, 2021

Hana was one of the most engaged and interesting people I have ever known. If something caught her interest, and many wide ranging things did, she seldom said, “something should be done about that.” She just quietly dug in, talked to others she thought might join her, and got the ball rolling. She would find out more, and often get involved in helping or working to change or improve the situation.
She had a great fund of knowledge and interest, and loved to debate on the merits of issues she was interested in. She could push strongly for positions she thought were valid, but she never belittled someone who disagreed, she just kept explaining why her position had more merit. It made the Dedham Times office an interesting, stimulating place to be for all of us.

Hana was one of the most engaged and interesting people I have ever known. If something caught her interest, and many wide ranging things did, she seldom said, “something should be done about that.” She just quietly dug in, talked to others she thought might join her, and got the ball rolling. She would find out more, and often get involved in helping or working to change or improve the situation.
She had a great fund of knowledge and interest, and loved to debate on the merits of issues she was interested in. She could push strongly for positions she thought were valid, but she never belittled someone who disagreed, she just kept explaining why her position had more merit. It made the Dedham Times office an interesting, stimulating place to be for all of us.
Very best to the Heald and Forlini families. Beppy Martin

Theresa Jay

January 16, 2021

Jimmy, my thought & prayers are with you. May you always have her loving spirit with you.

Tom Clinton

January 11, 2021

Sorry to hear of the passing of Hana. I recognize and appreciate all that Hana and her family have done for the young people of Dedham. The commitment to helping others will be missed, but carries on with the family. God Bless Hana.

Jay O’Brien

January 10, 2021

Dear Heald Family :

Please except my heart felt condolences for the passing of your dear Mother Hana !

My experience of Hana where always one filled with learning from her enquiries which was part for her personality to get at answers for her questions! From those questions I knew Hana to be progressive person who care deeply for her Community around her !

I have always appreciated my meetings and interaction with Hana and have always left those discussions knowing that she cared as much for our Town as any who had been born in Dedham .

With her query and inquisitive sense of humour Hana’s unexpected phone call or an accidental street walk by was always one that left a smile ! Hana was a lovely women and a great asset to this Town ! Her memory will live long in our Hearts

Dedham Art Association

January 10, 2021

Our sympathies to Hana's family and friends. Her contributions to the community are inspiring and we are all the better for them.

Susan Webster

January 10, 2021

I had the pleasure of knowing Hana during my time in the Planning Department at Dedham Town Hall. She was very hard working and a fountain of knowledge, and also had a keen sense of humor. I learned so much from her, and will always be grateful for her unending help. Please accept my deepest sympathy on her passing.

Linda Tobin

January 9, 2021

Rest In Peace. I remember you coming into town hall the clerks office and always professional yet you could always talk and have a pleasant conversation with her. She was very proud of her granddaughter. My deepest sympathies to Scott, jimmy and Janet. She will be remembered fondly.

Margaret Moran

January 9, 2021

I worked with Hana for many years at MGH. I loved her stories. My thoughts go out to her family.

Margaret Figlioli

January 9, 2021

Hanna was a beautiful woman inside and out, worked hard all her life, loved her family, newspaper, and life.
Worked at DPD at the time I met Hanna, she would come in to station for police log.
RIP Hanna, God Bless You and your family.

Bella

Kate Martin

January 8, 2021

Oh, jeez, I just found out about this.

She was so intense, and so smart, and so passionate about the things she cared about. At her best, she was a joy to work with and be friends with, because she was interested in everything, and very much engaged in exploring what she could.

Also, she knew how to write, and the details she picked up on were important.

Sympathies to the Heald/Forlini clan.

Tracey (Ivester) Franklin

January 8, 2021

I attended school in Dedham with Janet and always thought she was absolutely lovely. It seems that all of her wonderful ways were inherited from her mom! My deepest condolences to the Heald family. Thank you Hana for a lifetime of Transcript and Times articles. Godspeed!

Joseph Venuto

January 8, 2021

Scotty and family, I am so sorry to hear about Hanna’s passing. She was a lovely lady. My prayers and condolences are with you and your family at this sad time.

Marie-Louise Kehoe

January 8, 2021

Hanna was my good friend and, always, it was my pleasure to speak with her-- might have been questions she posed for a news story during my many years of Public Service or, perhaps, just a gentle inquiry. Hanna was so supportive of my passion to cure the troubled appearance of and disrespect for the people interred in that Ancient Burial Ground. And Hanna continued encouraging me to write a book about my life as a Public Servant. How I wish that she were still with us so that we could do this book together! My memories of Hanna are very much alive and may she forever Rest in Peace.

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results