Maureen P. Hansen

after enjoying an afternoon in the sunshine with her family. She

was born January 14,1937 in Leicester, England to George and

Gladys Bryan. As a child her life was affected by World War 2,

and in later years she sometimes spoke of night time air raid

sirens and hurried trips down the street to bomb shelters. She

would laugh as she told stories of how she and her friends would

follow American soldiers around saying, “Have you got any gum,

Chum?” She was delighted to find the phrase in a WW2 novel she

was recently reading. After the war her family immigrated to the

United States when she was ten years old. She recalled her

family arriving at Ellis Island seeking opportunities in a new

country. They settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and she

graduated from Pulaski High school. Maureen married her next

door neighbor, Daniel Hansen on October 26,1957, and they

made their home in Hartford, Wisconsin, In 1964 Maureen was

tragically widowed at the age of 27 with three children ages five

and under. Years later she said that, at the time of his death, she

was grieving and felt she could not go on, but kept herself strong

for the sake of her children.That strength endured over the years

as she loved and provided for her children, being both mom and

dad, as she never remarried. Maureen stayed involved in her

children’s lives by volunteering as a girl scout leader and a boy

scout den mother while her children were growing up. In 1969 she

moved her family to Florida where her children grew up on the

beautiful beaches of Englewood. She began working at

Englewood Elementary School in food service and was promoted

to manager. She retired after working in Sarasota County

schools for 33 years, but came back to volunteer four days a

week for the next fifteen years because of her love for the

school and the people.

Maureen enjoyed traveling with her sister, Norma, to visit

family which included trips back to their birthplace, England.

She loved all animals, especially dogs. She volunteered at the

Englewood Animal Shelter, bringing her children with her,

starting in the 70’s. She regularly donated to organizations

that cared for animals, and gave a home to many beloved

dogs over the years.

She knew the Lord as her Savior and loved attending Sunday

services and the Women's Bible Study at Englewood

Christian Church with a few of her friends. She had a gentle

servant’s heart, enjoyed giving of herself by volunteering

throughout her life, and was loved by all who knew her.

Maureen is preceded in death by Parents: George and Gladys

Bryan, infant Sister: Rita Bryan, Husband: Daniel Hansen, Sister:

Norma Wolfe, Niece: Susan Wolfe, Nephew: Randy Wolfe.

She is survived by Daughter: Gerilyn Wells of Englewood, FL,

Grandson: Daniel Wells of Englewood, FL, Grandson: Michael

(Bobbie) Wells, Great grand daughter: Mikayla Wells of

Englewood,FL, Great grandchildren: Joshua Choi of Tacoma,

WA, Adryiana Perrigoue of WA.

Daughter: Janet (Steve) Erickson of Nowthen, MN, Grand

daughter: Lauren (Dan) DeNucci, Great grandchildren: Kaleb and

Khloe DeNucci of Elk River, MN, Grand daughter: Kristen

(Joshua) Koch, Great grandchildren: Lincoln, Mason, and

Rosaleigh Koch of Elk River, MN, Grandson: Stephen

(Catherine} Erickson, Great grandson: Steven of St. Louis, MO,

Son: Jeffrey Hansen of Port Charlotte, FL, Grand daughter:

Megan (Ray) Osypenko, Great grandchildren: Kiya Schultz and

Ayden Smith of North Port, FL, Grand daughter: Amy (Ross)

Spindler of Englewood, FL.

Maureen’s desire was for her Celebration of Life gathering, which

will be March 21, to be for her family at the home of her daughter,

Gerilyn Wells. Friends wishing to honor her are invited to make a

donation in her name to E.A.R.S. Animal Shelter Rescue

Sanctuary, Englewood, FL.