Anne Hansen

Obituary of Anne Jones Hansen

Anne passed away on October 11, 2017, peacefully, at home, with her family. She was 80 years old. She was born in Jackson, MI to Phillip Jones and Helen Jones, nee Campbell. Her mother, Helen, was born in Charlevoix.

She and her growing family (3 siblings) moved to Ann Arbor, where her father became a professor of mathematics education at UM, and the family became immersed in faculty life. She graduated from Ann Arbor High School, when it was a building on the UM campus, and then went to Oberlin College, graduating with a major in physics.

Anne enrolled at the Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Western Reserve University in Cleveland. As a student there, she met Steve Hansen, a Western Reserve medical student. They formed a beautiful relationship based on love, respect and intellectual equality.

Knowing she would not graduate from FPB by the time Steve graduated, Anne shifted gears and took a crash course to get a teaching certification at UM. Steve graduated in 1960, and that same summer they were married, Anne prepared to be a teacher, Steve a doctor.

Anne and Steve spent a year in Chicago and 3 years in Topeka, KS as Steve’s medical education continued. Anne taught for a year in Cicero, IL. In Topeka, the family began to grow, with son Hugh’s birth in 1961 and daughter Amy’s in 1963. From 1964 to 1966, Anne and the family lived in Capehart housing near Selfridge AFB, Detroit, while Steve fulfilled his military service obligation.

Anne, Steve and the children established themselves in Wauwatosa, WI (suburban Milwaukee) in 1966 and lived in the same home there for 30 years. Anne helped raise the children, becoming a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader. She is still remembered by some women in Wauwatosa as their leader. Anne took night courses in scientific subjects at UW-Milwaukee for fun. She was a docent at the Milwaukee Zoo, keeping about-to-deliver animals company. As Hugh and Amy grew older, Anne began to teach science and math, as a substitute in Wauwatosa public high schools, a private school, and as a tutor.

Anne enjoyed gardening and horseback riding. She especially like the horse husbandry. She also loved dogs and, starting in Topeka, there was always 1 or 2 dogs in the family.

Anne crewed with Steve in summer weekly sailboat racing. She flew the spinnaker.

Anne’s extended family included people early established in Charlevoix. She spent part of every summer of her life in Charlevoix, visiting Campbell, and other relatives, while staying at a family home on Pine River Lane. Anne and Steve continued the summer vacation tradition after their marriage, and when retirement time came, they realized they wanted to come to Charlevoix.

Anne and Steve built a home, somewhat out in the country, near Ironton. Anne entered into her new life in Charlevoix wholeheartedly. She and Steve attended the Charlevoix Congregational/UCC Church, was on the board of the Charlevoix Community Library (which built the new library) and the Charlevoix Garden Club. Anne assembled the plan for the Bergman Center gardens, for which the club won a state award.

Anne did much to help establish the Community Swimming Pool. She taught school children in the pool, especially those afraid of the water. She lifeguarded and opened the pool early in the morning for lap swimmers.

Anne brought her aging horse from Wauwatosa to Charlevoix, placing it at a geriatric farm. She and Steve continued to have 2 dogs at home.

In these last 15 years, it became gradually apparent, that Anne had Parkinson’s disease and an accompanying Lewy Body Dementia. Anne was able to maintain her warmth, graciousness, and gentleness of spirit even as her illness progressed. She was cared for at home by Steve, son Hugh, and the Heavenly Helpers Agency.

Anne always kept Charlevoix in her heart, and she will be buried here.

Anne would want any memorial donations to go to either the Charlevoix Congregational/UCC Church, the Charlevoix Community Swimming Pool, or the Friends of the Charlevoix Library.

Anne is survived by her husband, Steve of Charlevoix; children, Hugh of Charlevoix, Amy of Greenbelt, MD; grandchildren, Elisabeth of Germany, Jeffrey of Charlevoix, Scott, and Evan of Greenbelt, MD; siblings, Phillip Jones Jr of Portland, ME, Kristin Jones of Richmond, VA, Roger Jones of Waterbury, CT; nieces and nephews, Liz Gesler of NH, Robin Jones of CO, Alistair Jones of VA, Evan Jones of OR, Hilary Jones of DC, Galen Taylor of BC Canada, Mark Hansen of Florida.

A memorial service will be held at the Charlevoix Congregational/UCC Church on October 27th at 11 AM with refreshments to follow.

Arrangements are being handled by the Winchester Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.