Irene J. Hansen

Irene was most proud of raising her three children, Sharon Summerlin, Steve Hartje (Leslie) and Karen Fecteau. The three of them were her reason to live. She is also survived by two step-children, Michael Hansen (Jan) and Laura Syracuse (John).

She is survived by six grandchildren, Christopher, Steven, Jessica, Andrew, Kayla and Desiree. In addition, she was GiGi to three great-grandchildren, Braxton, Chloe and Ares. She was affectionally known as “honorary” GiGi to Odin and Jade.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, George Hansen, her beautiful daughter, Sharon Summerlin and her loving parents, Gordon and Irene Braitsch.

Irene was the matriarch of our family. We will miss her dearly but she will always be with us in our hearts. Never forgotten.

She was an only child born in South River, New Jersey and lived in the San Francisco Bay Area on and off throughout her childhood. Her family settled in Daly City, Ca and she attended Jefferson High School graduating in 1954. She was able to make some good friends and joined the German Club.

Irene began her career in the Insurance business working in the Financial District of San Francisco. Once she married Richard Hartje (deceased) and started her family, she worked closer to home at the children’s elementary school in Colma, CA. She became president of the PTA. She volunteered her time as often as she could not only at the school but with the Brownies, Cub Scouts and making costumes for the dance school. Nothing was out of the question for Irene. She dressed up as a witch and lead the Halloween parade at the children’s school and played the Easter Bunny at Karen’s pre-school. Irene later worked as a teacher’s aide in the Middle school for children who had mental health conditions. Her lifelong dream was to become a teacher. She loved taking care of people.

When her children grew older, she worked as a deli manager at G & M Deli in Daly City, where she met and fell in love with her 2nd husband, George Hansen. She managed the deli at Safeway in San Francisco. She retired about twenty-five years later and again volunteered her time at Kaiser Permanente which she loved. Again, she enjoyed taking care of people.

Irene made “A” Street in Colma her home for 57 years! She spearheaded the “A” Street girls’ gang with her best friends, Wanda Fontana, Jo Russell, Anita Vierra, and Lee Newman. Not only were they best friends but their children became best friends also. Irene had many friends later in life including Cindy, Maggie, Fran, Neila, Irma, Marian and June. Even if she could not see any of her friends in person, they would talk on the phone for hours. Much later in life they would keep in touch as Facebook friends. The iPad was the best Christmas gift ever!

Irene was an avid San Francisco 49er fan along with a San Francisco Giants baseball fan. She was a staunch Republican and never hesitated to give her strong opinion on politics. She and her son, Steve, had lively conversations about politics often.

Irene enjoyed traveling especially to places such as Reno, Lake Tahoe, Hawaii, Canada, Seattle, South Carolina, Colorado, Palm Desert, New Jersey and New York.

Five years ago, she left the San Francisco Bay Area and moved to Anaheim Hills in Southern California along with her daughter, Karen. Although she liked the fog and cooler weather, she grew accustomed to the sunshine of Anaheim. In fact, almost daily she met up with friends at the pool for happy hour with Russell, Pat and others. She had many new friends and her favorite pastime was calling and playing Bingo.

Irene always made the holidays special for her family and continued that tradition in Southern California. She decorated for every holiday which put a smile on everyone’s face. She had a greeting card collection and quickly became a Platinum Hallmark card member. Most importantly, she wanted to take care of people. Her family, her children, her friends, and her co-workers. She would do anything for them. She was an angel walking on earth and will be so truly missed.

Services to be announced at a later date but eventually she will be laid to rest next to her husband, George, in Colma, Ca.