Concord, NH – Died February 4, 2026 at Havenwood-Heritage Heights in Concord, New Hampshire. Born November 25, 1938 in Montclair NJ, Louise was the oldest child of Folke William and Elizabeth Parkinson Hanson.
Louise grew up in New Jersey and Virginia. She married Douglas Harold Dartnell on December 21, 1963 in Montclair, NJ. Louise and Doug moved from New Jersey to New Hampshire in 1965, where they lived in Hopkinton, Bow, and finally, the Havenwood-Heritage Heights community in Concord.
Education was important to Louise. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Upsala College in East Orange, NJ in 1960, a teaching certificate from Montclair State College, and was a junior high English teacher at Rundlett Junior High for a too-short period of time in 1966.
Louise gave up teaching to lend her talents to ensuring the success of the small business she and Doug established in 1971, Taylor Rental Center of Concord, NH. The couple were both active in the American Rental Association and the Concord Chamber of Commerce. Louise served as treasurer and later president of the NH Rental Association and as a Chamber Ambassador.
Their involvement in rental business conferences allowed Louise and Doug to travel to warm destinations in the depths of NH winters, igniting a shared love of a travel that led to many adventures across the United States and Europe.
Born with a gorgeous soprano voice, Louise expressed her love of music through school choirs and glee clubs, church choir, First Church variety shows, and various productions on the Heritage Heights Campus. She loved the theater, especially musicals.
Louise was an active member of First Congregational Church of Hopkinton from the time she arrived in New Hampshire. In addition to lending her talents to the choir and variety shows, she served as deacon, a Stephen Minister, and on many committees. Through the church, Louise and Doug’s close circle of friends – known as “The Bridge Group” – came together.
Louise enjoyed serving others. In addition to her faith-based and business roles, she volunteered extensively: as a Cub Scout den mother, Girl Scout troop leader, room mother, Junior Great Books leader, and pen pal with students at the Broken Ground School. Most recently, she served as Heritage Heights Leader of the Resident Association during COVID.
An avid reader, Louise spent much of her free time at home with a good book in her hand, particularly WWII spy stories. She was a wonderful cook and baker and loved throwing a good party – even insisting on hosting her own birthday celebration this past November. Her friendship, sense of humor, and enthusiastic laughter will be deeply missed by those who knew her. Most of all, Louise lived by the moral code of her faith: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Louise was predeceased by her husband and by her sister, Joan E. Davies.
She is survived by her son, Mark (Cate), and daughter Kirsten, as well as two grandchildren, Mats and Keely. She is also survived by her beloved tuxedo cat, Ritzy.
Services: A celebration of life will be held at the First Congregational Church of Hopkinton, NH on March 14, 2026 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Cancer Society.
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