Jeannette Hassell

Ms. Hassell, 85, of East Davis Street, Burlington, died Friday, December 31, 2021 at Alamance Regional Medical Center.
Jeannette was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1936 to Pauline Lloyd Isaacs and Edward Ellis Isaacs, both deceased. Her son, Edward LeRoi Hassell, his wife Pamela Isley Hassell and granddaughter Amanda Hartman of Burlington, survive her.

Ms. Hassell was a member of The Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter where she served as Minister of Music/Organist-Choirmaster, from 1972 until her retired in 1998. During this time the church was fortunate to have her expertise and leadership in obtaining a Richard Kingston harpsichord, and a 28 rank tracker pipe organ built by the Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, Ltd. In 2004 the church honored her as Minister Emerita. Following retirement she continued her service on the Vestry for three years as Assistant Junior Warden, Junior Warden, and Senior Warden. She was Chairperson of the Capital Improvements Committee which oversaw the installation of a full heating and air conditioning system; co-chairperson of the Every Member Canvass and a member of the Standing Property Committee.

Before coming to Holy Comforter she was organist at The Elon Community Church (United Church of Christ).

In 1957 Ms. Hassell graduated from Elon University, majoring in piano, organ and music education. She earned a Master of Sacred Music degree from Union Theological Seminary (New York City) in 1972. Ms. Hassell’s teachers included Inga B. Morgan, C. Fletcher Moore, Robert B. King and Vernon DeTar. Further study included course work at The Royal School of Church Music (London), Saint George’s College (Jerusalem) and The School of Theology, University of the South (Sewanee, Tennessee). She was Dean of the Greensboro Chapter of The American Guild of Organists. Organ recitals in New York City included Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, and the Episcopal Churches of Saint Thomas, The Church of the Ascension and The Little Church Around the Corner. She also gave organ recitals in numerous churches in North Carolina.

In the community, Ms. Hassell enjoyed many fine piano and organ students. She designed and taught a Music Therapy Program funded by a Diocesan grant for Happy Time School. The Alamance Chorale, Messiah performances at Mebane Presbyterian Church. Burlington Centennial Celebration, and several Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations all benefited from her talents as a choral director.

The Reverend George Silides and The Reverend David R. Williams will conduct a memorial service at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter. The date and time of the service is pending. Burial will be in the church’s Memorial Garden. The family will greet friends in the church parlor following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter Endowment or to The Holy Comforter Music fund, Box 1336, 320 East Davis Street, Burlington, NC 27215.

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