Hanna Papanek

Hanna Papanek (nee Kaiser) b. January 24, 1927 died peacefully at her home in Lexington MA of natural causes on Saturday, December 16, 2017.

The daughter of Alexander Stein and Eleanor Kaiser, Hanna and her family, committed to Democratic Socialism, had to go into exile in Czechoslovakia when the Nazis came to power in Germany in 1934. Her second exile was in France. In Paris she found kindred spirits in a youth group of other Democratic Socialists, including her future husband. She came to the United States in 1940, again fleeing Nazi persecution.

In New York City, Hanna graduated from Hunter High School. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College;. and was one of the first women to receive a Ph.D. in Social Relations from Harvard University. She was a pioneer feminist before the movement became widespread. A scholar and academic, she held appointments at Harvard, Boston University, University of California-Berkeley and University of Indonesia.

Her ground breaking study of the two person career presaged the understanding of the role of many women in their husband’s careers. Hanna published extensively, often writing about women’s issues. She wrote and edited a number of books. She also wrote a political memoir of her family “Elly und Alexander” published in Germany. Her adventurous life gave her insight into the role of women within different cultures. In the 1950’s, she lived four years in Karachi, Pakistan and in the 1970’s four years in Jakarta, Indonesia. She formed deep friendships in these countries and studied the limitations placed on women. She did path-breaking work on the role of female seclusion (purdah) in enhancing family status.

In 2004 Hanna joined First Parish in Bedford, Unitarian Universalist. She found its Unitarian Universalist principles mirrored the principles she adopted as a young woman and held throughout her life. She was an active participant at First Parish giving talks and speaking her mind at “talkback” sessions.

She is survived by her husband of 70 years Gustav Papanek, her son Tom (Doris Wells Papanek), her daughter Joanne Papanek Orlando (Rocco Orlando III) four grandchildren Rocco Orlando IV,( Katie Moran) Alexander Orlando, Charles Papanek, Julia Papanek and great-granddaughter Brooke Orlando.

The family gives special thanks to her devoted team- Marisela, Pharah, Brendah, Ann, Lee and Dr. David Ives.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday February 3, 2018 at First Parish in Bedford Unitarian Universalist, 75 The Great Road, Bedford, Massachusetts.

Donations in her memory can be made to the International Rescue Committee or The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.