Catherine de Haan

Paris 1942 – Newton 2023

Catherine de Haan (née Raymonde Germaine Janine James), an accomplished weaver and eco-dye
artist, died at home on January 24 th after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Catherine was born during WWII in Paris, France. Family circumstances forced her to start working
early in life, and at the age of eighteen, she completed a technical course to become a
bookkeeper. After a few years, the company she worked for sent her to the head office in
Amsterdam for training, where she met Maarten, a Dutch university student. Four years later, they
got married, and she moved to the Netherlands. Her interest in weaving began when she took a
course from a local artist when her kids started to go to kindergarten. Then, in 1977, she
purchased her loom and began to weave – scarves, jackets, and shawls, creating all her own
designs.
In 1982 the family moved to the US, and the loom came with her. There she became a member of
several local weaving guilds and started selling her creations at Fine Arts shows and fairs,
becoming one of the best-selling, well-respected weavers in Colorado and the New England area.
During this time, she also owned a business dealing in antiques. Around 2015 she transitioned
from weaving to Eco-Dye and Print technique she learned in France, dying silk scarves with natural
materials such as tree leaves. Over the years, she built a loyal following of customers worldwide
who appreciated her scarves’ unique designs and high-quality craftsmanship.
Catherine was a terrific mother who raised two successful children, instilling in them a love of
learning and creativity. She is survived by her husband Maarten of 55 years, her two children,
Alexandra of Rio de Janeiro and Matthias of New York City, and her four grandchildren, Max,
Philippe, Sebastian, and Luka.
She will be remembered for her artistic talent, her passion for sustainability, and her boundless
love and dedication as a spouse, mother, and grandmother.

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