Wilhelmina D. Hanrath

Wilhelmina de Graaf Hanrath, died May 21, 2010 at Galloway Ridge following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. Her death was announced by her husband, Jan Davd Hanrath, of Galloway Ridge, Pittsboro.
Surviving her are two sons, Michiel, and Boudewijn Hanrath; and three grandsons, Skyler, Austin and Blake Hanrath, all of Misssion Viejo, California. Also surviving are two sisters and a brother who, with their spouses, continue to live in Europe and South Africa.
Wilhelmina was a native of The Netherlands. She was born May 29, 1930, in the historic town of Kampen, to Gerrit Jan and Wilhelmina de Graaf. She and her husband met at work in her home town where both were employed by a prefabricated concrete company. That early employment lead to their permanent residence in the United States in 1958 when he was moved here, first to New York, then to Richmond, to represent the company with the U.S. Corps of Engineers.
Later, while her husband was associated with the international construction firm of Fluor Daniel, they lived in Puerto Rico, Germany and Saudi Arabia. During those years she was also able to indulge her love of traveling for pleasure visiting many countries around the globe, including most waterways of Western Europe. While living in Richmond, Wilhelmina was employed by Safeway Stores as a "gourmetician" in charge of buying international food products for the chain. She also ran the international department of the store.
The couple lived at Fearrington Village near Chapel Hill from1993 until 2005 when they moved to Galloway Ridge. Her final months were spent in the loving care of the staff of the Arbor, the medical facility there. She was admired by a wide circle of friends for her distinguished personal style , her hospitality, and her skill as a gourmet cook. She was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, among other charities. She was active in the Episcopal church.