“From the first time I met Hanne 40 years ago when she was wrestled into being the executive director for Vermont’s AIA, she had that great smile. I think she knew how powerful her that smile was and meeting her at a picnic with the rest of my wacky crew hammering out our own versions of design, she insisted that we submit something to the AIA annual competition.  I wasn’t a member of the AIA and hadn’t thought of it.  She looked at me and said:  submit this one, I love it.  So I did.  And every year she would call and tell me how wonderful she thought my designs were and was looking forward to the entries.  Of course, she called the rest of us and said the same thing.  BUT she actually believed it. She truly loved architecture and the Vermonters who were making it. And she was right.  We should all be submitting our work for review and exposure and for the love of it.  She knew what “for the love of it” meant.  She gave us that extra, that special, that impossible to express, reason for doing the best we could do and we love her for that.” 

­̶  Dave Sellers, AIAVT

 “Hanne had a firm understanding of how she could best help the Chapter.  The President and the Board were the source of ideas, programs, and policies.  It was her job to make those things happen through notices, personal communications, intelligent/thoughtful arrangements, and perseverance. She was always “on target”.  Always enthusiastic.  A bit of a “mother hen.”   But that is probably what we needed. Over forty years, Hanne was never bored, partly because she had no trouble mixing a bit of pleasure with business.  When Vermont officers were in Washington, DC for Grassroots or other occasions, she would organize an evening at “The Capitol Steps” or the theatrical event “No Sex Please – We’re British!”  Her philosophy seemed to be you can do good work, and still enjoy life to the fullest. What seemed like a part-time job in the beginning, turned out to be – in addition to Arthur and their family – her career.  How fortunate we are that she was willing to spend it with us.”

­̶  Bob Burley, AIAVT

"She was always up for an adventure, and building AIAVT was certainly that.
Much has been said about how Hanne was hired and was the only executive director of AIAVT for the next several decades. What slips by in that statement - but is deeply embedded in it - is the countless hours she spent mentoring new Secretary/Treasurers, Vice Presidents and Presidents through those years. In short, from the rookie within the rookie organization, she quickly became the adult in the room.  
AIA VT is a volunteer organization with a relentlessly changing leadership structure. She had the ability to keep the organization moving even though it was often like shepherding a constantly revolving herd of cats. This she did with good humor and a steady presence. She helped us not reinvent the wheel. Her even, and often unseen hand, husbanded the resources of our small chapter. I came to understand when Hanne responded to one of my ideas with, "Are you sure you want to do that?" instead of her usual, "What a fantastic idea!", I knew she was trying to save me - if not from disaster - but at least wasting everyone's time on a fruitless endeavor.
Her (not so) deep secret is she rooted and worked for everyone's success.  She wanted us collectively, but more importantly, individually to achieve goals. She really knew that AIAVT was not an entity, but a collection of great people and she made it her job to help us as much as she could. And we miss her."

­̶  Michael Hoffman, AIAVT

"Hanne was certainly one of the most cheerful, gracious, helpful and unselfish people I have known. Soon after I obtained my architect's certificate from the Vermont, I joined AIAVT. After going to a half-dozen meetings, held monthly back then, Hanne asked if I was interested in serving on the board. Hanne had no trouble talking me into that.I was a board member for about 10 years deciding not to be an officer, but to work on projects. I soon discovered Hanne was the foundation of the board. She attended every meeting and board meeting, arranged and catered them as well as organizing and maintaining the records for AIAVT.  Hanne offered help at every opportunity. Whenever there were questions, she knew someone at national who was a great resource. She knew nearly every Vermont architect, their personalities and their history. She also knew who could be most helpful.AIA National - always ready for expensive new initiatives - decided to computerize the AIA membership and communications systems mandating all components use new AIA supplied computers and a national database system for records. We were more than a little concerned that Hanne, not having used a computer before would take the opportunity to retire.Not Hanne. She gamely dove into the courses, in Washington, DC, and eventually mastered the new system. Several of us would occasionally get a call for computer help. Hanne hated to impose. She was always extremely grateful and appreciative for even the slightest assistance."

­̶  Steve Clark, AIAVT

  “I fondly remember meeting Hanne at Grassroots and when she told me she had attended, I believe, every Grassroots from the onset, I suddenly felt the commitment and breadth of the AIA and was proud to be a teammate with such purposeful people. It made a huge impression on me and put wind in my sails to be a part of this profession. She will be missed but we still can still carry that energy she brought.  Carrying it on…”

­̶  Greg Spiess, (Barrington, RI)

 “I am so sad to hear of Hanne's passing.  She was a terrific person who always had a funny and interesting story to tell. She will be missed.”

­̶  Jen Zolkos, Executive Director, AIARI

 “Hanna took pity on me when I was just a pup at my first Grassroots, took me under her wing and I went with her, Michael and the rest of her Vermont contingent to dinner and to see the Capitol Steps show.  Talk about being made to feel welcome!  That was a big part of setting the tone for my ongoing involvement with AIA and I have always been grateful for it.”

­̶  Greg Ames, AIARI