It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of Donald Neal Mayhew. Donald passed on the evening of September 4 at Baystate Springfield after a long battle with kidney disease. His son Jesse was at his side. Don is survived by his wife Janet Mayhew, his son Jesse Mayhew, his daughter in law Kim Hutt Mayhew and his grandchildren, Levin Mayhew and Elin Mayhew, He is also survived by his older brother Edward E Mayhew Jr of Statesville , NC and his younger brother Larry W Mayhew of Raleigh, NC.

Don was born in Mooresville North Carolina on December 15, 1940. His father was Edward Eugene Mayhew and his mother was Libby Eller Mayhew. He attended grade school and high school in Mooresville. Upon graduation he worked with a family friend and archaeologist before attending Brevard college in Asheville NC. From there he went on to major in painting at the University of North Carolina.

While at UNC he applied for a grant at the Brookline museum in NY to study with the artist Ruben Tam. He received that grant and spent a year advancing his skill there. He had previously applied for a grant to study at the Boston Museum school and was notified while in New York that he was granted that Scholarship. Don moved to Boston and attended the Museum school program for 2 years. . It was there that he met Janet who would become his wife of 57 years. Upon completion of that program Don then took a job painting reproductions for the Johnson Wax collection for design houses while he waited for his wife to graduate from college.

Don then went on to take a teaching position at the John Burroughs School in Clayton MO, Don frequently applied for grants to spend his summers painting in his much loved New England landscape. After 9 Year In the Mid West Don and his wife decided they would like to reside in New England. They applied for and received position

s at the Northfield Mount Hermon School. It was there that their only son Jesse was born. That is where he remained until retirement.

Don had a life long love and interest in American archaeology and history. He loved visiting historic sites and historic homes.

Don loved fishing and hunting upland game. He also liked collecting artifact and antiquities. He filled his home and his community with many beautiful painting reflecting the landscape he so dearly loved. His work is his legacy. For those he loved and left behind there is a wealth of his work to enjoy, His warmth, kindness and humor will be profoundly missed.

There will be no formal public services. His family and friends will celebrate his life in private events. Anyone wishing to make a Donation in his memory can do so donating to The National Kidney Foundation or any organization that feeds hungry children anywhere.