Jeanne Bayly Maxwell Hassell

Jeanne Bayly Maxwell Hassell died peacefully at Moses Cone Hospital on June 27 after a brief and unexpected illness. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 617 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC at 11:00 AM on Saturday July 1, with visitation to follow in the Virginia Gilmer Room.

She was born the fifth daughter of Harry Z. and Margaret P. Maxwell on Sept. 29, 1931, in Blue Bell, PA. After excelling in field hockey, saxophone, and other pursuits at Ambler High School, Jeanne began her career path at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing in Philadelphia. She then worked for a time in Oswestry, England as a nurse, an experience which instilled in her a lifelong love of travel. Afterwards she returned to work at Penn and met Charles M. Hassell, Jr., a medical student, whom she would marry in April 1959.

After living for five years in Cleveland, OH as well as brief stays in Fort Bragg and Fort Polk, they and their four small children settled for good in Greensboro, NC in 1969.

Charlie rose through the professional ranks to become Chief Pathologist and Director of Laboratories at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital and Jeanne became engaged in philanthropic leadership in the cultural life of her adopted city. As she focused on raising her four children, she made time to serve as President of the Greensboro Medical Auxiliary, Greensboro Symphony Guild, McIver School PTA, UNCG Musical Arts Guild, and the Arc of Greensboro. She also contributed her energies in leadership of the NC Guardianship Council, the John Motley Morehead Commission, and as a founding and longtime board member of Greensboro Opera.

She enjoyed decades of competition on the tennis courts of Starmount and Greensboro Country Clubs, as well as spirited discussions around book clubs, bridge tables, and the circles and Sunday Schools of First Presbyterian Church, where she was an active member for over half a century. Along the way, she and Charlie found time to travel the globe and see the sights on six continents.

Jeanne was predeceased by her parents and her four siblings. She is survived by the loves of her life: Charlie, her husband of 58 years; her four children (and spouses) Judge Robby (Eloise) Hassell of Greensboro, Laura Hassell (Carla E. Jimenez) of Portland, OR, Harry Hassell (Anne-Marie Tranchida) of New York, NY, and Rebecca Hassell of Greensboro; and her beloved granddaughters, Lt. Molly Hassell, USAF, and Bayly M. Hassell of Washington, DC.

Jeanne's family is grateful for the love of her friends and for the care extended by health providers at the end of her full and extraordinary life. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Greensboro Opera Company and the Arc of Greensboro.

Arrangements are provided by Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfunealhomes.com.