Shirley Jo Hanson went to be with the Lord, Monday, November 2, 2010.
She was born in Chicago, Illinois, July 21, 1950, to Margaret (Cox) and Roscoe M. Stinsman.
She grew up in Seattle, Washington, graduating from Lincoln High School and Peterson School of Business. She married Jerry Hanson in 1978, their last residence being in Sequim, Washington.
She is survived by her mother, Margaret Cox; sisters Jana (Ron) Vater, Beverly (Fred) Reichel, and Mary (Ricke) Swaim; brother, Wayne (Debbie) Stinsman; close friend, Steve Carpenter; and many nieces and nephews.
Shirley is preceded in death by her father, Roscoe Stinsman.
The family wishes to thank the staff, other employees and many residents of Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley, for their loving and faithful care given to Shirley the past ten years, and for making her life more comfortable and pleasant.
A service at Life Care Center will be announced at a later date. Arrangements under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
Shirley was my best friend in high school and we kept in touch until I moved out of state. This year is our 50th class reunion and I miss that she will not be there to make it a special time.
Dear Mary Lou, Beverly, Waynie and Jana…
Oh dear, I have been looking for Shirley on facebook and the www for some time now since I found some cute pics of us when we were little and we lived on Dayton Ave. I hope and I wonder if you gus remember me. I was pretty much “adopted” by your family. I went everywhere with you guys for many years, Roscoe and Maureen just hauled me around to the lake and vacation bible school and I learned how to swim and got into mischief and trouble with everyone. I remember the nutria and the polywogs and the way we had to learn how to swim because there was no bottom at the lake. I remember how Shirley and I tried to dress alike and we told everyone we were twins even though we did not look at all alike and then one lady down at Safeway said “oh you twins are so cute how old are you ?” and Shirley said “I’m 8, she’s 9” !!! She blew our whole twin story ! We used to sell papers at my brother’s paper stand down at Safeway and people would give us candy ! We played dolls with Beverly and we were so jealous of Beverly’s real baby doll and all her special baby clothes that she had. Then I was so jealous when Shirley’s mom had a real baby and my mom didn’t !!! We had sooo much fun in the summer playing in our yards in our little swimming pools or in my cousin’s boats. I remember the summer when Roscoe dug out the basement and carried all the dirt across the street to the vacant lot and then God Bless him, on the way back in the empty wheel barrow he would give us kids a ride !!! I have many many more great memories of my childhood on Dayton. Remember how simple life used to be ? I cannot believe Shirley is gone. I am so sorry that I cannot get together with her and talk about these. I guess we will when we are reunited in heaven. Well, my dear old friends, Mary Lou, Beverly, and Waynie, please feel free to contact me if you remember me, you too, Jana, I know you don’t remember me, cause you were just a baby. Love U all…Maryanne
Even though I hadn’t seen Shirley since her father Roscoe’s memorial,
I have often thought of her and the rest of my cousins. Maureen (Margeret)
and Roscoe used to bring the kids to our lake and we would all go swimming
and have great fun. She proudly displayed her “scar” where she had heart
surgery—-I think to gross us all out lol. She still looked like the Shirley I
knew. She was a bit mischeivious as well—think she got that from her
dad “Rascally Roscoe”. I used to go stay at their house by the Park and
we would go to the zoo. We had such fun times and I will always remember
them. I know she is now with Roscoe. Shirley you will be missed!
Until another time, your cousin, Phyllis.
Shirley Jo adopted us as her second family 40 years ago, when she realized we were just as crazy as she was and it’s been a privilege to have her call me her sister. Shirley, I’m sorry I didn’t see you more often the last few years. I will miss you terribly and visits to Olive Garden will never be the same.
Dear Family of Shirley,
I met Shirley for the first time when my Mom was a Patient there at Life Care for a short stay. My Mom was across the hall from Shirley. She was such a warm hearted soul. She always greated us with a smile and to give us words of encouragement. She loved my daughter and took her under her wing. At that time my daughter was probably 9 years of age.
My Mom got sick again and we spent 4 months there this time. Shirley still had a warm spot for my daughter and kept her entertained with playing Wii,helping with Bingo, playing cards, etc. She gave my daughter some word of wisdom this time around and it will always stay with me. My daughter hates to read and Shirley let my daughter know that reading was a wonderful thing and that she could be whatever she wanted to be in the book as she was reading it. My Mom passed away a month ago and we meant to get in there to see her and we have been Christmas shopping for all the special people we had made as our friends there. I wish we would have made it in there to see her. I feel so bad about her passing and my daughter is heart sick. I just want you to know that Squirrelly Shirley meant alot to me and my daughter. We will miss her terribly. Please let us know where Shirley will be layed to rest or if there will be a service for her somewhere. My son is a CNA for Life Care and he truly will miss her too. Shirley will have a piece of my heart – my prayers go out to all the family. She will truly be missed!!
God Bless You,
Joni Eleazer
Jana, Bev and families. I am so sorry to hear of your sisters passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.