Obituary of Patricia Christine Hansen

Patricia Christine (Walker) Hansen, of Burlington, Massachusetts passed away peacefully at home following a courageous battle with cancer on November 19, 2017 at the age of 81. Patricia was the beloved daughter of William M. and Margaret R. Walker born in 1936 in Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up in Medford, Massachusetts attending Immaculate Conception School and Medford High School. She was part of the first diocese championship girls softball team for St. Francis of Assisi. She left town with a sailor, George M. Hansen, and married. Patricia became a military wife and mother of four children. The Hansen Crew traveled to numerous duty stations exploring many cultures and friendships along with pets, great and small. George preceded her in death in 2005. Patricia was an active member of the community, regardless of the duty station. She lead an effort to ensure housing for military widows upon the death of a servicemember spouse. Patricia was instrumental in the development of the Navy Women and Girls Softball League. Patricia was an educator at Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, Connecticut. She developed programming for the Children’s Museum as well as performed during the Lantern Light Tours. Patricia was an advocate for children serving as the representative of the State of Connecticut to Stand for Children, Washington, DC. She was mentor to numerous grandparents following a landmark case enabling grandparents’ rights of visitation in the State of New York. She served as a Battered Women’s Counselor to the Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut. She was a leader in the development of the Office of the Child Advocate and Connecticut Office for Early Childhood Education. Patricia is survived by her sisters, Jeanne A. Collins and her husband, Robert of Salem MA; and Electa Grieco Heath and her husband, Peter Heath of Naples Florida. Patricia is survived by her daughter, Christine Hansen of Burlington; her daughter, Margaret A. Conley of Bremerton, WA; her son, George M. Hansen, Jr. and his wife, Gale of Sandy Hook, CT; and her son, William M. Hansen and his wife, Kristina of Bennington, VT; eight grandchildren, Eric and his wife, Karrie; Adam; Sean; Marissa and her husband, Kevin; Kirsten and her husband, Kevin; Sydney; Kira and Owen; and six great grandchildren, William, Dallas, Emily, Chelsea, Lucas, and Valia. She is beloved “Auntie Pat” to many nieces, nephews, their spouses, children and grandchildren. We were privileged to share life’s adventures full of love, education, exploration and laughter with Patricia. At Patricia’s request, no public services will be held. The family will gather at a later date to spread her ashes among her cherished memories. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to one of the following charities: TAPS, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors; Home Base, Veteran and Family Care, Massachusetts General Hospital; Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut; Children’s Defense Fund; Sandy Hook Promise; or Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann.