Nancy Hayward Mitchell

1933 - 2025

Nancy Hayward Mitchell

Hanover, NH - Nancy Hayward Mitchell, a daughter of Hanover, Dartmouth, and St. Thomas Church, continued her eternal life's journey passing away in her sleep on September 14, 2025.

Born in Hanover, NH March 7, 1933, the oldest daughter of Sidney and Barbara Everett Hayward, grew up in Hanover before leaving for Wheaton College in 1951. She made lifelong friends around Occom Pond and joined sister Mary Ann skating on the pond by Thanksgiving, skiing at the rope tow at the Golf Course or Oak Hill, and walking to schools on Lebanon Street. As a toddler, she began spending a great deal of time with her father attending Dartmouth sporting events, visiting close friends Corey Ford, Paul Sample, and many others. These friendships, and countless others, helped Nancy become a great storyteller; Nancy dreamed of being a writer. While at HHS, Nancy was Editor of the Harpoon as well as the Inde Yearbook. She even had a poem published in "Seventeen". Nancy joked about being considered a Boy Scout for her adventures in her father's Willy's Jeep (after being "dismissed" from the Girls Scouts). At an incredibly young age, she volunteered at Mary Hitchcock as a "candystriper" sharing her smile with young and old patients. At 11, Nancy started working at Dartmouth Travel Bureau, a business she would return to, and run 30 years later.

In the early 1950's, Nancy went on a double date with Korean War aviator and Tuck School student James Melvin "Jerry" Mitchell. When they ran into each other the next morning at St. Thomas Church, the courtship blossomed. The couple was married in St. Thomas in 1956 and had two sons, William and James, born in 1957 and 1960 respectively.

The Mitchell family moved 6 times in 15 years, principally during the baby booming 1960's. Nan became a focused homemaker, armed with a station wagon to transport groups of kids to sporting events and after school activities. She specialized in fried chicken with potato salad dinners and making raspberry jam from scratch to help with lunches.

Throughout this period, Nan had "custody" of their boys for two weekends every month and for weeks every summer as Jerry continued to fly in the Marine Reserves. These periods provided opportunities to go visit Hanover or Pleasant Lake with cousins, where Jerry would perform flyovers. Alternatively, history sojourns to DC or Civil War battlefields, near the base where Jerry would be training were taken. She loved taking the boys and friends skiing to areas where patches could be bought to be sewn on jackets. The boys learned to read maps and put their misbehavior on hold with "20 question" games during the trips.

Nan and Jerry switched careers in 1973, purchasing the Dartmouth Travel Bureau in Hanover. They became hyper involved with the Chamber of Commerce, St. Thomas, and Dartmouth. Simultaneously, they created Dartmouth Alumni Trips where they would befriend a professor or alum who would assist with developing each itinerary, rich with historical and cultural experiences. Nearly every continent was visited and groups of Dartmouth Alumni loved going on cruises with Royal Viking Line.

Nan kept assuming more civic responsibilities. She became the local chair of the American Red Cross, United Way Fund drive, joined PEO and the Hanover Historical Society and worked on the Altar Guild at St Thomas. She enjoyed meeting new people and was locally renowned as a kind, welcoming member of the community. There was never a walk-through town which didn't involve a "stop to chat" once, or twice. She loved every moment of these encounters.

Nannie's most gratifying career accelerated in 1999 when her oldest grandchild entered Hanover High School. Eventually all six grandchildren: James, John, Elizabeth, Konrad, Sabin, and Sophie would enter her cherished alma mater. It gave her an opportunity to become a fixture on the playing fields (and ski hills) of Hanover High and opposing schools to cheer for her kids and their friends. Nan frequently came fully attired in Marauder gear adorned with a famous Dr. Suessian hat and one of her jackets with many of the patches she had collected. This passion continued through their post high school years. She also developed a reputation for special treats, a habit she started building first when her grandchildren rode by on school buses. Nannie would always wave, trying to flag the bus down to give out the treats while heading to the Ray Elementary School. Nannie often referred to her grandchildren as "dearie" whether they lived in or regularly visited Hanover. This past summer she celebrated the birthdays of her two great grandchildren Kayden Ann and Everett Veera at her "camp" on Pleasant Lake. She was forever proud of all her grandchildren, was always interested in learning about what was new in their lives, and continued giving them $2 bills for Valentine's Day, comics, or care packages into their 30's.

For the past 2 years, Nannie has been cared for at local Woodcrest Village and Hanover Terrace. The family would like to thank the caretakers at both locations for making our Nannie's life so pleasant in the past 24 months.

There will be a memorial service at St. Thomas Church on October 4 at 11am with reception to follow with the family in the Parish Hall. Donations may be made in recognition of Nancy's commitment to St Thomas Church, 9 West Wheelock Street, Hanover NH 03755.