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Johanna Henriette Jacoba van Andel Mead
Johanna Henriette Jacoba van Andel Mead
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Johanna Mead Obituary
While staying in Williamstown, Massachusetts, she met William Mead and they fell madly in love. They were married in The Hague in December 1959. In 1960, the first of their eight children was born. Hansy (as she was known) and Bill soon moved to Boston, where Bill completed graduate school at Harvard's Graduate School of Design and later started his architectural firm. The family eventually settled in Nahant, MA.
Hansy and Bill were devoted to one another and especially loved their time in Center Harbor, NH, where they moved in 1975. During the mid-80s, the family began to split time between West Hartford, CT, and New Hampshire, but Mead Farm eventually became Hansy's permanent home.
A passionate enthusiast of nature, poetry, art, and music, Hansy appreciated the beauty of diverse cultures. She found joy in connecting with people from many walks of life, treasuring her long-standing childhood friendships and the new relationships she formed. Hansy was also an exceptional cook, and her kitchen was filled with the smell of sauteing onions and garlic and the sound of music, conversation, and laughter. Hansy also loved foraging for chanterelles with her basset hounds, skating on the lake in the winter, and moonlit swims whenever possible. Few things gave her more joy than the loons' call on a summer evening.
Hansy is survived by her 6 children and their spouses, Jan Willem (Edie), Mark Nathaniel (Sabine), Samuel Aldo (Katie), Sonya Henriette (Alex), Tanya Georgine, Joshua Onni Franciscus (Katie), and 10 grandchildren. Hansy was preceded in death by her husband, Willam Randolph Lacey (2000), and her daughters, Roanna Margot (1984) and Anoushka Odette (1989).
A celebration of Hansy's life will take place at the end of the summer.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the New England Basset Hound Rescue in her name, honoring Hansy's love for the long, low St. Hubert's hound.
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Judy Westerlund - Granddaughter of Libby and Paul Butterworth. Daughter of
September 16, 2024
Hymns will never be the same without Hansi. I first met Hansi at Hymns in 1959. It was her first time there. I was a little 6 year old, but I clearly remember the excitement in the air when Bill presented his beautiful new love to all the Squam folk. The two of them positively shown. Even to a 6 year old, one felt the magic in the air. Over the years, it has always been a treat to cross paths with Hansi - her warm laugh, her sparkling eyes. Often surrounded by lots of family. I was sorry to hear of her passing, but she certainly added much love and beauty to the world during her lifetime.
Nicoya Borella
September 3, 2024
I am so sorry to learn of Hansy´s passing. I have many warm memories of riding my bike up and down the neck and stopping in at the camp for a swim or a cold drink and a chat with Hansy. She radiated with an infectiously joyful spirit, and I will always value her friendship and the wisdoms she shared with me when I was just a girl.
It was a privilege to have known her. My condolences to the Mead family.
Alice C. Burak
August 13, 2024
Hansy was a beautiful and fun loving lady. We worked together at the shoe store or shall I say we laughed a lot in the back room looking for the customers shoes. She seemed to always be fun loving and made the effort to be a blessing to another. Her passion for good quality in what she did and who she was drew many to her. I am thankful to have known her.
Cristi Johanna Zambrano Rosenberg
July 16, 2024
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Cristi Johanna Zambrano Rosenberg
July 16, 2024
Cristi Johanna Zambrano Rosenberg
July 16, 2024
Cristi Johanna Zambrano Rosenberg
July 16, 2024
I had the most beautiful coincidence with this great woman, my name is Cristi Johana, I inherited my mother's name (Johanna). When I met Hansy for the first time in the coldest winter of my life we laughed a lot about our names, she couldn't believe it. Beyond that, she was the very first friend I had in this country, as an immigrant and without family or friends, she knew exactly how I felt so she always knew what to say. I remember the first night when I arrived in this country, it was very cold, it was snowing and Patrick Cabell, my husband, the first thing he did was take me to Hansy's house, his best friend in NH, she gave me a big hug, she knew who I was, she warmed my cold hands, and told me "oh honey, I'm here if you need anything, I know what it feels like to be far from home, to leave everything behind to pursue love." Hansy was one of the 8 people at my wedding and she gave me a traditional bridal cake from her homeland and for my birthday she gave me a family photo with all her children with a beautiful message on the back, saying how priceless life is and a warm home. Every time I walk nearby I see her window there is no longer a light on but I remember the sound of her laughter, I remember hearing her sing "country roads, take me home" with great melancholy, I imagine that old soul is still there feeding the birds of the forest while talking on the phone.
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164 Pleasant Street P.O. Box 67, Laconia, NH 03246
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