"OUR WOMEN OF SANDWICH"
(2020 Summer Virtual Exhibit)
DALE SHOUP MAYER
Dale and her husband were summer residents for many years and then moved here permanently in the early 70’s or maybe late 60’s. She had run a bookstore and when she moved here she opened a sewing kit business in Meredith She was a selectman and was very instrumental in getting the beach expanded. She served on the Historic District Committee and many other committees. She was also one of the gang who bought the Sandwich General Store. A remarkable woman with a great vision and a sense of purpose and love for sandwich
Frances Strayer
July 2020
Frances Strayer
July 2020
John and Dale
~ Bickford Crossing ~
"Did you know that Dale locked me in Al Capone's cell at Alcatraz?" That was the first thing Janet Brown said to me when I asked her to share some memories of Dale. At first I did not think I heard her correctly, and then I thought Janet was not feeling well .... until she went on to explain that she was given a trip to California. Dale, having just lost her husband John, said she would accompany Janet to California, along with Janet's cousin. They had a wonderful time, and this was the first of many trips Dale and Janet (and others) would take together.
"Dale was more of a friend than an employer," Janet shared. She also highlighted Dale's kindness and generosity and ability to discuss politics even though Janet and Dale were on opposite sides of the political aisle. Dale's friendship meant the world to Janet, and she misses her friend deeply.
Jennifer Wright
August 2020
"Dale was more of a friend than an employer," Janet shared. She also highlighted Dale's kindness and generosity and ability to discuss politics even though Janet and Dale were on opposite sides of the political aisle. Dale's friendship meant the world to Janet, and she misses her friend deeply.
Jennifer Wright
August 2020
Dale and her children
As a resident of Sandwich I learned of Dale Mayer's many accomplishments and impact on our little Town effecting policy, supporting small business, non-profits, and as a benefactor. I also had the pleasure of being her neighbor, and we formed a lovely friendship, always looking after each other. She had a very generous heart and was eager to fight for justice.
I was able to witness Dale's 'true grit', dedication, and wisdom when I served with her on the Town Hall Building Committee. A small and diverse group of us met for three years to design and implement the almost complete renovation of Town Hall (completed in 2013). We all brought different skills to the table, as is often the case when you have a productive committee. Dale brought pragmatism and tenacity. Dale's philosophy throughout the process was "there is no need to reinvent the wheel" and spent countless hours with her partner-in-crime, Mary Fleischmann, studying and touring other Town Halls in the State.
I remember fondly when the architect or a State entity would tell our committee why something we wanted could not get done. I knew I just needed to look over at Dale and she would get a certain look on her face, and away she went. She researched and interviewed folks to learn all she could until a work-around was created. Nothing was impossible to Dale.
After her time on that Town committee, Dale continued to quietly stay connected and in touch. She read the Selectmen's minutes online and would invite me to tea to discuss important issues or send me notes praising accomplishments.
Sandwich was so lucky to have her as long as we did.
Cath Graham
July 2020
I was able to witness Dale's 'true grit', dedication, and wisdom when I served with her on the Town Hall Building Committee. A small and diverse group of us met for three years to design and implement the almost complete renovation of Town Hall (completed in 2013). We all brought different skills to the table, as is often the case when you have a productive committee. Dale brought pragmatism and tenacity. Dale's philosophy throughout the process was "there is no need to reinvent the wheel" and spent countless hours with her partner-in-crime, Mary Fleischmann, studying and touring other Town Halls in the State.
I remember fondly when the architect or a State entity would tell our committee why something we wanted could not get done. I knew I just needed to look over at Dale and she would get a certain look on her face, and away she went. She researched and interviewed folks to learn all she could until a work-around was created. Nothing was impossible to Dale.
After her time on that Town committee, Dale continued to quietly stay connected and in touch. She read the Selectmen's minutes online and would invite me to tea to discuss important issues or send me notes praising accomplishments.
Sandwich was so lucky to have her as long as we did.
Cath Graham
July 2020
The following is an excerpt from Dale's obituary:
Dale Shoup Mayer, 94, passed away at home at Maple Street, Center Sandwich, NH on Wednesday, October 2nd. She died peacefully, after a period of declining health. Her four children were with her on her last day, along with two of her caregivers from a devoted team, Pat Good and Megan Scanlon.
She was the daughter of Carl and Ruth Shoup, and grew up in Riverdale and Briarcliff Manor, New York. Dale graduated with honors in economics from Swarthmore College in 1947. After working for a year at the Office of Population Research in Princeton, New Jersey, she received a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University in 1950.
Dale Shoup Mayer, 94, passed away at home at Maple Street, Center Sandwich, NH on Wednesday, October 2nd. She died peacefully, after a period of declining health. Her four children were with her on her last day, along with two of her caregivers from a devoted team, Pat Good and Megan Scanlon.
She was the daughter of Carl and Ruth Shoup, and grew up in Riverdale and Briarcliff Manor, New York. Dale graduated with honors in economics from Swarthmore College in 1947. After working for a year at the Office of Population Research in Princeton, New Jersey, she received a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University in 1950.
Ruth and Carl Shoup
Dale turned down a job at a fledgling government agency called the CIA to stay in New York after she met John Mayer and worked instead at Standard Oil Company of New Jersey as an economic analyst. John and Dale were married in 1951. They were a wonderful team for almost four decades, raising three rambunctious boys and a much better-behaved daughter.
John and Dale raised their four children in Riverdale, NY, outside New York City, with an adventurous year spent in London. In 1970, with a partner she opened Paperbacks Plus, a popular independent bookstore that was a cornerstone of the Riverdale community for 38 years.
They moved fulltime in 1976 to their summer home in Sandwich, cementing a relationship with the Lakes Region that dated back to childhood for Dale, when she spent summers at a rustic family home at Far Echoes, on Lake Winnipesaukee. Partnering with sister-in-law Francie Shoup and a local resident, Dale started up and managed a second small business, a mail order clothing craft business, Charing Cross Kits, headquartered with a retail outlet in Meredith, NH, that operated for a decade.
Dale was energetic, smart, and gave her time generously to a variety of community and civic initiatives throughout her life. She was a wonderful example for her children and friends.
When John died suddenly of a heart attack in 1988, Dale turned her energy to new projects in Sandwich. Ever the pioneer, she built a new home that she adored, located halfway up Red Hill and accessible by a driveway not for the faint of heart. She also planned a run for selectman for the Town of Sandwich, studiously attending all selectman meetings and just observing for a year before running. This allowed her to clearly understand the Selectman’s Office dynamics and begin to establish herself as a credible candidate.
She was elected a selectman in 1990 and served two three-year terms. She accomplished much during her tenure, including a major redesign of the Sandwich beach at Squam Lake and the addition of sidewalks to the Sandwich Children’s Center, and was instrumental in the capping of the town landfill. During her two terms, Dale worked tirelessly to bring disparate groups together. Her desire for compromise was epitomized in her circulating copies of Getting to Yes (Fisher). She was a remarkably capable person and enjoyed problem-solving, particularly for the community, where she believed good government played a vital role in people’s lives. Later she was a leading member of the Town Hall Renovation Committee, a project that won state accolades for the thoughtful and thorough work.
During these and later years, she served on the Board of Directors of the NH Municipal Association. She was an active participant in the operation of the Sandwich Children’s Center, Sandwich Community School, and Sandwich Caregivers and served on the board of the Town’s pioneering internet service provider, Cyberpine. Throughout her civic life in Sandwich, Dale was also a strong advocate for encouraging more women to run for local positions and serve on boards.
John and Dale raised their four children in Riverdale, NY, outside New York City, with an adventurous year spent in London. In 1970, with a partner she opened Paperbacks Plus, a popular independent bookstore that was a cornerstone of the Riverdale community for 38 years.
They moved fulltime in 1976 to their summer home in Sandwich, cementing a relationship with the Lakes Region that dated back to childhood for Dale, when she spent summers at a rustic family home at Far Echoes, on Lake Winnipesaukee. Partnering with sister-in-law Francie Shoup and a local resident, Dale started up and managed a second small business, a mail order clothing craft business, Charing Cross Kits, headquartered with a retail outlet in Meredith, NH, that operated for a decade.
Dale was energetic, smart, and gave her time generously to a variety of community and civic initiatives throughout her life. She was a wonderful example for her children and friends.
When John died suddenly of a heart attack in 1988, Dale turned her energy to new projects in Sandwich. Ever the pioneer, she built a new home that she adored, located halfway up Red Hill and accessible by a driveway not for the faint of heart. She also planned a run for selectman for the Town of Sandwich, studiously attending all selectman meetings and just observing for a year before running. This allowed her to clearly understand the Selectman’s Office dynamics and begin to establish herself as a credible candidate.
She was elected a selectman in 1990 and served two three-year terms. She accomplished much during her tenure, including a major redesign of the Sandwich beach at Squam Lake and the addition of sidewalks to the Sandwich Children’s Center, and was instrumental in the capping of the town landfill. During her two terms, Dale worked tirelessly to bring disparate groups together. Her desire for compromise was epitomized in her circulating copies of Getting to Yes (Fisher). She was a remarkably capable person and enjoyed problem-solving, particularly for the community, where she believed good government played a vital role in people’s lives. Later she was a leading member of the Town Hall Renovation Committee, a project that won state accolades for the thoughtful and thorough work.
During these and later years, she served on the Board of Directors of the NH Municipal Association. She was an active participant in the operation of the Sandwich Children’s Center, Sandwich Community School, and Sandwich Caregivers and served on the board of the Town’s pioneering internet service provider, Cyberpine. Throughout her civic life in Sandwich, Dale was also a strong advocate for encouraging more women to run for local positions and serve on boards.
