Harrodsburg, Kentucky has lost its Poet Laureate. Louise Isham Dean, age 90, Harrodsburg, widow of William H. "Bill" Dean, mother of Lieutenant Colonel Julia Ann Dean, US Army Retired, died Thursday, January 10, 2013, at the James B. Haggin Memorial Hospital, Harrodsburg, KY. Born November 14, 1922 in Mercer County, Louise Isham Dean was the youngest of 11 children, but the only biological child of her parents, the late Joshua and Ora (Peavler) Isham. Her mother and father we both widowers with children when they met and married, combining the large family.
Louise retired from Corning Glass after 31 years, was a member of the Harrodsburg United Presbyterian Church where she was an elder and very active in all activities, and a Member of Toastmasters. She was a charter member of Road to Recovery where she drove cancer patients to treatments for 20 years. Louise was Regent of Jane McAfee chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for 6 years, Past Chairperson of Community Service Department of the Woman's Club of Harrodsburg, active member of Harrodsburg Historical Society and James Harrod Trust where she was named Volunteer of the Year 2006-2007. She was also awarded Mercer County Chamber of Commerce Charles H. McGinnis Good Citizen Award in 2007 and was appointed Honorary Guardsman in Kentucky National Guard in 2008. Louise was the presenter of Harrodsburg ancestors for cemetery tour through original poetry, active in politics (encouraging everyone to vote), and a helping neighbor and caregiver.
She was Poet Laureate of Harrodsburg and Mercer County in 2011 when her first book of poetry was published. “Footprints in the Sand” was published as a fund raiser for the James Harrod Trust, a preservation group she was faithful to. Over 200 copies were sold during its first printing.
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