Louella Lund Hanson Gottlieb

Louella Lund Hanson Gottlieb, 90, died peacefully in her home with her daughter by her side. Born in 1932 to Robert T Lund and Luella Tosdal Lund in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. She played several instruments, was in the high school marching band as well as playing piano and organ at her church. She met her first husband, Allen V Hanson in high school and got married shortly after graduating from the University of Minnesota. They lived in Seattle and Spokane, Washington for a few years and in Helsinki, Finland where she studied the organ at the Sebelius Academy. Allen’s career took them to Wyzetta, MN and then back to Middletown, NY where he was an English Professor at universities in those areas. While they lived in Middletown, NY, they adopted 2 wonderful children; Christopher, (1962) and Liisa, (1964). They moved to Suffern, NY in 1969 when he was offered the position as Dean of Students at Rockland Community College. Suffern would be her home for the remainder of her life.

After Allen’s sudden passing in 1971, Louella got a job teaching Data Processing at BOCES in West Nyack. She went to night school and received her Masters Degree in Education. She would laugh when telling how they brought a computer in to her classroom, handed her the manual and said, ‘be ready to teach this tomorrow in class’. And she did. Louella played the organ at her church, Christ Lutheran Church of Airmont for over 30 years and was the choir director, music archivist, worked on Altar Guild, and served on the Church Council many times including as Council President. If the church needed someone, Louella was there. She was let go from BOCES just shy of her 20 years of teaching. She picked up temporary teaching jobs at Queen of Peace High School and at the former Edwin Gould Academy. She did some office jobs but finally retired and worked solely in the family business.

It was at BOCES that she met the second love of her life, Shepherd Gottlieb. The incredible bond they had and the depth of their love for each other was just magical to be around. They cruised every summer to their favorite place, Bermuda. For years they would go in to NYC to attend concerts at Lincoln Center and see Broadway shows. Fine dining was always included in their trips as they both enjoyed a good meal.

To say that Louella was loved is an understatement. Her kindness and generosity stretched well beyond her home. Everyone said that when they died, they wanted to come back as a dog in her house as her animals were treated like royalty. At one point she had 8 dogs, a cat, and 2 rabbits. If there was someone in need, her door was open. When the church sponsored a Vietnamese refugee, she had him set up in a room in her home for a year. When a local Suffern High School family needed a place for their son to stay so he could complete his senior year, she gave him free room and board. She loved eating at the former Airmont Diner every Sunday after Church with her family.

She is pre-deceased by her parents, her older sister, Lois Ann Lund (2016), her first husband, Allen V Hanson (1971), her son, Christopher Hanson (1980), and her second husband, Shepherd Gottlieb (2007). She is survived by her brother, Robert J Lund (age 98) and her sister-in-law, Marilyn Lund (age 94), her daughter, Liisa Hanson Warren and son-in-law, Kenneth Warren, her step-daughter Beth Gottlieb Schwartz and son-in-law Jeffery Schwartz; grandchildren Katelyn Warren, Christopher Warren (Lizzie), Rebecca Warren, Jonathan Schwartz, Melisande McCalla (David), and Danielle Anderson (Johnny); and great-grandchildren Grace Ann, Jackson, Matthew and Elianna, and Benjamin; and beloved nieces Betsy and Kathy and nephew Eric.

A celebration of her life will take place at Wannamaker and Carlough Funeral Home, 177 NY-59, Suffern with visitation on Friday, November 11, 2022 from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm. A funeral service will be held Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 10:00am. Interment will take place right after the service at the Walkill Cemetery in Middletown, NY, 160 Midway Rd, Middletown, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to United Hospice of Rockland or All Creatures Great and Small for the HVHS account in Pomona,

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wanamakercarlough.com for the Gottlieb family.