Susan G. Hanson

Susan Gilman Hanson lived her life like every day was the first day of Spring; optimistic, open-minded, full of energy and laughter. It is poetic she died on March 20, 2012. Born in Providence, Rhode Island on July 10, 1924 to Roger and Jane Bowler Gilman, she was the youngest of three girls. They were raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where their father was the curator of the Fogg Museum at Harvard University. She graduated from the Winsor School in Boston and Vassar College and received a Masters of Library Science from Villanova. A world traveler, who adored the arts both classic and eclectic, her infectious curiosity drew in friends of all ages and walks of life. Sue married architect, John H. Hanson on September 27, 1947 and they raised four boys in Valley Forge; John, Hugo, Gilman and Richard. Befitting her boundless capacity for life, she pursued dual careers as a Librarian with the Upper Merion School District and in Real Estate. She was an avid bird watcher, spectacular gardener, an enthusiastic beagler, not to mention a great doubles partner in tennis. Sue was a lifelong member of The Merion Cricket Club, The Radnor Hunt Club and the Colonial Dames. In her spare time she was a popular tour guide at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Brandywine River Museum. But her biggest joy in life came from her family. Her four dear boys, their wives, her nine grandchildren, their spouses and her three great grandchildren. She is survived by John and Marian Hanson of Burlington, Connecticut, Hugo and Maureen Hanson of Weaverville, North Carolina, Gilman and Ellie Hanson of Philadelphia and Richard Hanson of West Chester and his fiancée Cindi Miller along with her grandchildren, Kristin Hanson, Ehren Hanson and his wife Camila Celin, Trey Hanson and his fiancée Garrett Gesten, Delyse Berry and her husband Jon, Eliza Hanson, Nicholas Hanson, Scott Hanson, Richard Hanson, Jr., Ben Hanson and three great-grandchildren, Saige Berry, Jack Berry and Lena Hanson. A service to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, April 21st at 11am at St. David’s Church Episcopal Church in Wayne, Pennsylvania with a burial to follow. Contributions can be made in her name to St. David’s Episcopal Church.