Willnola A Hanna

Willnola Alberta Hudson was born in Buhl, Idaho to parents Charles Shefford and Ida May (Worley) Hudson on June 24th, 1919. She was one of six sisters; Dorothea, Bernie, Louise, Willnola, Charlotte, and Marybelle Darner. She had one brother, Charles Jr. Willnola was raised in Buhl and in the late 1930’s, most of her family migrated to Oregon and settled in the Portland area. Willnola and her sisters loved to dance together and came to be known as the “Hudson Sisters”. For a time, they were a popular dancing stage act in Portland. It has been said that Willnola and her two sisters Charlotte and Marybelle were especially inseparable and were their own “Three Musketeers” and shared many special times singing, dancing, playing, and sometimes making their own special kind of mischief. In the mid 1950’s, Willnola and her sisters worked in a leather shop. In her younger years, Willnola enjoyed singing and entertaining in taverns in an era before Karaoke. Her angelic singing voice blessed many funeral services and weddings as well.

Willnola had three children – two sons, William and Charles; and a daughter, Shirley. They were all raised in Portland. When her children were grown, Willnola moved to California and began a career in health care. In California, she worked in nursing homes. She moved to Phonenix, Arizona to attend nursing school and earned a degree in nursing. Willnola worked as an LPN in hospitals and also served as a private in-home-care nurse. Her favorite part of nursing was working in the nursery and caring for newborns.

Outside of her occupation, Willnola liked to crochet and she loved flowers; especially gardenias and pink & red roses. She was also a faithful member of the Jehovah’s Witness Church.

On November 25th, 2012, Willnola passed away peacefully in the home of her nephew under the tender care of hospice and the special comfort and care given her by her nephew Kenneth Grove. Willnola, we love you and miss you but we know you were received into the welcoming arms of those who went before you and now your voice resounds in the angelic choir.

Willnola is predeceased by her parents, Charles and Ida; son, William R. Nichols; brother; Charles S. Hudson, Jr.; and sisters, Dorothea Cammack, Bernie Cammack, Louise Cammack, and Marybelle Darner.

Survivors include her son, Charles Hanna (wife Karen) of Palm Desert, California; daughter Shirley Walton (husband Art) of Vancouver, Wa.; sister, Charlotte Flaker, of Portland, OR; grandchildren, Steve Stewart (wife Karen), Terrie Stewart, Duane Stewart (wife Patti), Charles Hannah, Jr. ,(wife Yolanda), and Erin Hannah; great grandchildren Kendra Tamayo, Tim Stewart, David Stewart, Amanda Stewart, Partick Czerny, and Morgan Quady, Halina Hannah; great great-grandchild, Emilio Tamayo; several nieces and nephews, and her special canine companion, Coco.

A memorial gathering will take place at Eastside Free Methodist Church, 650 SE 139th, Avenue, in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday, December 1, 2012 from 10am to 2pm.

Please visit Willnola’s Internet memorial and online guestbook at www.skylinememorialgardens.com

Willnola will be privately laid to rest in Skyline Memorial Gardens in Portland, Oregon. Please visit the guestbook portion of this site. Thank you.