Jean Hallager died in her home on Pollard Road, Lincoln, New Hampshire, on Saturday, December 29th, 2007. Born Jean Judith Adams on May 17, 1925 to Sherman and Rachel (White) Adams, she grew up in Lincoln with her sisters Marion and Sarah and brother Sam. She attended Lincoln Elementary, high school at Northfield School in Massachusetts, where she developed a deep love for choral music, and was a graduate of Simmons College. Following college, Jean worked for the Registrar at Dartmouth College, where she met her husband of 57 years, William Hallager. They were married in 1950, and after several moves, settled in Pleasantville, New York. There they raised their son, Bill and daughters Karin (Martel), Christina (Thomas), and Anne (McGonagle) and became involved in their church and community. Jean's numerous contributions to the local community included leadership in Girl Scouting, directing and singing in choirs at St John's Episcopal Church, organizing many church fund-raising activities, and teaching children with learning disabilities. In 1986, when Bill retired from Texaco, Jean and Bill moved to Lincoln to enjoy golf, skiing, and grandchildren. Soon they immersed themselves in their church and community. Jean was a founder, president and curator of the Upper Pemigewassett Historical Society, board member of the North Country Chamber Players, choir member/leader and warden of the Church of the Messiah, and seat refurbisher and major contributor to the North Country Center for the Arts. For all of their volunteer work, Bill and Jean were recognized as Outstanding Volunteer Leaders in 1998 by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, in 1999 by the National Society of Fundraising Executives, and in 2006 by the Lincoln-Woodstock Chamber of Commerce. In addition to her husband and children, Jean is survived by sisters Marion Freese of Pittsfield, New Hampshire, and Sarah Adams of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts and eight grandchildren. Her family will remember her for her love of family, music, the outdoors, and her many contributions to her community. She was a loving wife, great mom, generous grandmother, and a very cool mom-in-law. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 3rd at 11:00 am at the Church of the Messiah with Rev. Teresa Gocha officiating and a celebration of Jean's life will be held on May 17th at the Papermill Theater. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Northfield Mount Hermon School, Mount Hermon, MA 01354; Church of the Messiah, PO Box 267 North Woodstock, NH 03262, or North Country Center for the Arts, PO Box 1060, Lincoln, NH 03251 Edmund Fournier Funeral Home of North Woodstock is handling arrangements.
--The Journal News, Jan. 1, 2008