Obituary of Linda J. Hansen

Linda J. Hansen, a retired Registered Nurse, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday night, May 8, 2017. She was 75 years old. Linda was born in Akron, Ohio, one of two children born to William and Rebecca Elsmore. She grew up in Rocky Hill, Connecticut and graduated from Wethersfield High School, where she met her husband-to-be Robert at a Halloween dance during her Junior year. Bob went off to Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Linda attended Hartford Hospital School of Nursing. They married in 1962 and eventually settled in Burlington in 1964. Linda worked as a Registered Nurse at Emerson Hospital in Concord, later at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, and finally at Lahey Hospital in Burlington. During her working years she continued her education by earning an Associate’s Degree in Sociology and Anthropology as well as her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Northeastern University. She loved her career, caring for her patients, and sharing her warmth and great cheer. Linda’s life revolved around her family. She was a devoted wife to her husband Bob for 55 years and they were together for almost 60. They enjoyed socializing with their friends and traveling. Over the years, they visited such far-flung places as Bermuda, Denmark, London, Spain, Baha, CA, Portugal, Hawaii, Alaska, and even Brazil. They adored each other and lived by their wedding vows, especially in “Good Times and Bad, and in Sickness and Health”. In the last few years, the effects of diabetes and cancer crippled Linda’s body. Bob, with the help of family and caregivers, assured her they would keep her in her home until her dying days. As a mother, she was always available to comfort and support her children throughout their lives. She was always ready to lend a helping hand and offer friendly advice. She longed for grandchildren, and then embraced the role whole-heartedly. She simply adored being a grandmother to Camille and Inés. Her daughter Deborah’s career as a restaurateur would not have been possible without Linda’s utter dedication to caring for these little girls. From the time they were babies, Linda spent hours almost every day of their lives caring for them, playing cheerfully with them, ferrying them about to their activities. She cherished the extremely close bond they shared. Linda put family first in a way that is truly exemplary. Although Linda loved traveling, she adored her home. She spent hours making her yard beautiful and loved growing garden vegetables as well. She was an avid reader, and it pleased her immensely to sit in her backyard soaking up the sun, immersed in a novel. She enjoyed cooking, especially comfort food. She had a passion for chocolate and really enjoyed wine as well, especially cava, a sparkling wine from Spain. Special holiday meals like Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas were always at “grandma’s house”. She enjoyed shopping with her daughter and granddaughters and selecting gifts for everyone all year round. She enjoyed car rides with her granddaughters and listening to them talk all about their daily events, activities, and interests. She was a talented seamstress and could make everything from dresses to pajamas. She had a tender spot in her heart for babies, kittens, and puppies. Walking was her preferred exercise. She had an extensive collection of owl figurines which she had assembled during her many travels. Linda is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Robert “Bob” Hansen of Burlington. She was the proud mother of Deborah Hansen of Lexington and William “Bill” Hansen of Kingston, MA. She was the sister of Dennis Elsmore of Glastonbury, CT. She was the loving grandmother of Camille and Inés de Haro, both of Lexington. Linda leaves a cousin, Rebecca Snyder of Wareham, and 2 nieces, Victoria Fattoross of SC and Anne Marie Barros of CT. Sh e also leaves many dear friends and neighbors. A memorial service will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home on Sunday, May 21 at 1 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Linda’s name may be made to Care Dimensions, 333 Wyman Street, Waltham, MA 02451 75 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923 or www.caredimensions.org.