LACONIA, N.H. (AP) – Some New Hampshire residents who met screen legend Katharine Hepburn while she filmed “On Golden Pond” here have fond memories of her.

“She was a, wonderful, feisty, beautiful individual with a lovely spirit,” said Hansy Mead, “a joy to have around.”

Hepburn died Sunday at her longtime home in Old Saybrook, Conn. She was 96.

She lived in Mead’s home during four months in 1980 when she was working on the film, which co-starred Henry Fonda.

A nature lover, Hepburn would go out exploring during her time off-camera, often picking wild mushrooms or learning a loon call from the Meads.

“She was just wonderful to have around and great with our children,” said Mead.

Patrick Curtin of Gilford was the manager of all aquatic setwork for the film. He remembers Hepburn as private, but very professional in her work.

“When she dove into the water, that wasn’t in the script and it surprised all of us,” said Curtin.

Curtin has the propeller from the boat crashed in the film’s climax. It was signed by all the lead, including Hepburn and Henry and Jane Fonda.

“She was very professional. She was Hepburn, what else can I say?” said Curtin.

Michael Langton, a doll-maker from Stratham, made a doll named “Elmer” for Hepburn that was used in the film. It launched his career. Hepburn liked it so much that she wanted to keep it, but Langton summoned up all his courage to ask for its return.

“She thanked me for my art and imagination, and I told her I couldn’t have done it for anyone else. And after I told her I was going to keep him, she said, ‘Oh, you are? I don’t blame you. He’s such a wonderful doll. Would you mind if I signed him?”

With a red pen she wrote, “To Elmer: Katharine Hepburn sends her love and thanks,” across the doll’s chest.

“And to this day, even though it’s customary for doll-makers to sign their dolls on the back of the neck, that’s where I sign my dolls,” he said. “She was incredibly gracious and I’m going to miss her so.”

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