Cornelia (Kee) Spruyt Learnard passed away Concord, MA June 17, 2015. Kee was able to spend her last weeks surrounded by those who loved her, with the sounds of children laughing, song and fiddle music including some from her beloved Nova Scotia. She passed on just as she lived, in peace, with simplicity, courage and dignity . She was born in San Francisco, California on January 21, 1924 to Frederik Johannes Spruyt and Antoinette Naglee Burk. Kee attended Putney School in Vermont. She went on to Carleton and Bennington Colleges. She graduated from Boston University with her degree in Social Work. In 1959, Kee moved to Concord, MA with her then husband Stephen and spent the rest of her years enjoying the woods of Conantum. She especially enjoyed Contra, International & and Scottish dancing. Kee was well known for her strength and elegance. Kee was a wonderful gardener and an avid swimmer. Kee was a long time member of both the Cambridge and Acton Quaker
Meetings. She was a thoughtful, deep listener. Kee is survived by her children; David Learnard and his partner Cynthia Nordstrom of Hubbardston, MA and her daughter Susan Learnard of Belmont, MA. She also leaves three grandchildren; Ava, Otto and Sonja Nordstrom-Learnard. She leaves four nephews; Fric, Chris, Peter and Alan Spruyt, her grandniece Harper and grandnephew Jacob. Kee leaves behind her brother Dirk and his wife Perry. She was predeceased by her very special brother Harry. A memorial for Kee and Harry will be held at the farm where their family finally settled, now known as the Woolman Hill Quaker Retreat Center on Keets Rd. in Deerfield, MA October 17, 2015 at 11:00 AM. An informal lunch will follow.
Henry (Harry) Naglee Spruyt 87 of Kimball Hill Putney Vermont died unexpectedly at home on June 9. He is survived by his brother, Dirk J. Spruyt of Chapel Hill NC, five nephews and a niece. He predeceased his sister Cornelia (Kee) Spruyt Learnard of Concord Ma., by one week. Born in the Netherlands to Frederik and Antoinette Spruyt. they eventually settled in Deerfield, MA on the “Trap Rock farm”. In his youth Harry was responsible for the family farm store.
For high school he attended The Putney School Putney. Then to Rhode Island School of Design, graduating with a degree in industrial design. Following college Harry was awarded a Fulbright, enabling him to travel to Finland and behind the Iron Curtain. The body of work that he created on that trip became a photographic essay on life in Poland in the years following World War Two. He was employed by Alcoa in their design dept. The Quaker ideals instilled by his mother Antoinette, coupled with a hands on learning on a New England farm, greatly informed the values that Harry would bring to his life. The unrecognized design work of his life included innovative designs for kitchen cabinets and flatware, along with a wind turbine and Hemp House; his design for living a sustainable life. From walking and biking the byroads of Putney to attending Transition Putney meetings, he was an engaged and active member of the greater community. Harry lived a singular and inspired life, bringing intense focus, attention to detail and bold creativity to both every day living and his design legacy. His bright smile won him many friends and acquaintances, he will be greatly missed. A celebration of the lives of both Harry and his sister Kee will be held 11:00 AM October 17th at the former family homestead in Deerfield Ma, now the sight of the Woolman Hill Retreat Center, at the end of Keets Rd, just off Rt 5.