Dale Pennell “Penny” Breed ’79
Dale Pennell “Penny” Breed ’79 died on July 7 from early-onset Alzheimer’s. Penny was born on March 4, 1957, and graduated from Hanover High School in 1975. At Dartmouth Penny played field hockey and was a member of the women’s alpine ski team that captured the NCAA title in 1978. She majored in English and history and was the first ’79 named a Wearer of the Green. Penny graduated from Georgetown Law (1983) and began a successful career in private practice, specializing in alternative energy project finance. Returning to the Upper Valley in 1985, Penny and her husband, Dan Freihofer ’80, raised three children and renovated a 1790 farmhouse in Lyme, New Hampshire. Once her children reached school age, she assumed an active role in the family energy business, Johnson & Dix Fuel Corp., eventually becoming president and CEO. Penny was a dedicated community volunteer, active gardener and chef (she knew every recipe from the Moosewood Cookbook), personal computing specialist, and a queen of knitting and crafting. She regularly pulled all-nighters to assemble Halloween costumes or giant Lego kits to delight her children. Classmates remember Penny as quick-witted and savvy, a wonderful mother and thoughtful CEO, a guiding light at Dartmouth, and a dear friend with gracious style and a beautiful smile. Penny is survived by children Will, Sarah, and Sam; grandchildren Walter and Jack; and other family members. In 2017 daughter Sarah married Rob Henley, son of Joe and Kim Donovan Henley ’79.
