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.