Marilyn Hansen

Marilyn Hansen (Potter), 71, of Roselle Park, New Jersey, passed away on January 6, 2025, surrounded by family at NYU Langone Medical Center in Manhattan. Marilyn was an exceptional mother, cancer registrar, educator, and active parishioner. She was married to her husband Kenneth for 48 years.

Born Thursday, March 26, 1953, in Staten Island, New York, she was the daughter of the late Edward J. and Ruth Potter.

She had many careers, including working in finance on Wall Street and as a Switchboard Operator at Bayley Seaton Hospital, before finding her passion in the oncology data field.

She was proud to be a state and national educator and business owner within the cancer registry profession. She was past president of the Oncology Registrars Association of New Jersey and the National Cancer Registrars Association. She worked for the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services in the State Cancer Registry for 14 years, retiring as a supervisor in 2015.

Above all else, Marilyn was an incredible mother and Móraí (Irish for grandmother). Many hours were spent coaching basketball, designing stage scenery for school performances at St. Mary’s in Staten Island, and volunteering in the snack shack for school band events at Roselle Park High School. She was always active in her children's lives and never missed an event or milestone of theirs. She was their biggest cheerleader and advocate.

In her spare time, Marilyn read and watched documentaries on Russian Czars, World War II, and Irish history. Previously, she was a lector and food pantry director at St. Joseph’s in Roselle, NJ. She enjoyed owning dogs throughout her life, many of which are sure to have greeted her with wagging tails. No doubt she snuck a pocket full of treats through the pearly gates.

On July 30, 2023, Marilyn received the gift of life with a double lung transplant at NYU Langone Medical Center. Before and after her transplant, she was a true warrior who never gave up. Her family is so thankful for the extra time with her. A heartfelt expression of gratitude is extended to Dr. Jake Natalini and the NYU Langone Lung Transplant Team, the RWJBH Rahway Pulmonary Rehab team, Bruno from Lincare Oxygen Supplies, and pulmonologist Dr. Nicholas Maglaras for their care and compassion throughout Marilyn’s illnesses. Her family is also thankful to Marilyn’s donor and their family.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Kenneth, daughter K.C. Hall (Mathew) of Kansas City, Missouri, daughter Denise Hansen of Roselle Park, New Jersey, grandchildren Emily and Evelyn Hall, brother Edward Potter (Annaliese), sister-in-law Karen Potter, best friend Fannie Loughran, and best furry friend Chip.

Marilyn was a friend to many, and they will all miss her. She was predeceased by her siblings, Robert Potter, Michael Potter, and Carol Potter.

We ask that you honor Marilyn’s life by becoming an organ donor. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Pulmonary Fibrosis, Organ Donation, Eleventh Hour Rescue, or your favorite dog rescue.

The family will receive friends at McCracken Funeral Home, 1500 Morris Ave., Union, NJ 07083, on Thursday, January 23, 2025, from 4-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of Saint Joseph the Carpenter, 140 East 3rd Ave., Roselle, New Jersey 07203, on Friday, January 24th, at 10 a.m. Private interment will be held at Glendale Cemetery, Bloomfield, New Jersey, at a later date.