Hannah Norseen McClennen

Hannah Norseen McClennen, of Lexington, Massachusetts, passed away on September 5, 2024, after a period of declining health. 

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Hannah Norseen grew up in Chappaqua, New York, and Bolton, Massachusetts. She graduated from Concord Academy in 1962 and Wellesley College in 1966. She married Charles Eliot McClennen in 1965, and they lived in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, while Charlie studied Oceanography at The University of RI, and then moved to Hubbardsville, New York, when Charlie took a professorship at Colgate University. Hannah worked in the Communications Office at Colgate for many years, and along with a son and a daughter, she raised Corriedale sheep, also keeping chickens, horses, and ponies. 

Hannah enjoyed sewing and baked bread and pies. She loved to sing, participating in various choral groups. In 1992 she graduated from Syracuse University with a Masters degree in Architecture. She and Charlie traveled all over the world, for work and for pleasure, including several stays in Italy, and a semester in Australia. After Charlie died in 2007, Hannah continued working as an architect and continued to travel. She loved the open rural landscapes of Central New York where she lived, and the rolling hills of Jane Austen’s England, whose books she reread many times. After 50 years in the Colgate community, Hannah then moved to Lexington, Massachusetts, to be near her daughter.

Hannah is predeceased by her parents, Wilbur and Anita Norseen, and her sister Nancy Norseen. She leaves her daughter Alexandra Dohan (David) of Lexington, MA, her son Aaron McClennen (Eve) of Atlanta, GA, and grandchildren Sarah Dohan of Boston, MA, Benjamin Dohan of Washington, DC, Veronica McClennen of Iowa City, IA, and Gillian McClennen of Charlottesville, VA, and a sister Elizabeth Boritt of Gettysburg, PA. She also leaves a large extended family and legions of friends from all parts of her life.

A memorial service for Hannah will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 1:00 PM at St. Thomas' Church, 12 1/2 Madison St., Hamilton, NY, 13346. An additional memorial service in Massachusetts will be held on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 2:00 PM at the Concord Academy Chapel, 166 Main St., Concord, MA.

Donations in Hannah’s memory may be made to:

Southern Madison Heritage Trust: http://www.smht.org/

Chenango SPCA: https://chenangospca.org/

Mass Audubon: https://www.massaudubon.org/

Arangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap St., Concord, MA.