On January 9th, 2015, Sharon Rose Hanson passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord at her home in Stanwood, Washington after a brief battle with cancer. She leaves behind her companion of 37 years, Theressa (Terry) Kersaan.

Sharon was born as the 5th child of Hans A. Hanson and Rose L. (Hall) Hanson on January 19th, 1937 in Ketchikan, Alaska. Her father, captain of the Coast Guard cutter Alert, died of a massive heart attack eleven hours before her birth. Her mother and siblings remained in Ketchikan for some years before returning to Washington. Sharon attended grade school at Conway and graduated from Mt Vernon High School. She had a great thirst for education and earned a degree in political science from Western Washington University. She worked for and retired as a compliance officer for the City of Everett.

She had a great interest and concern for her community and politics. Sharon was elected to and served on the Stanwood City Council. She and Terry were involved in volunteer activities including Helping Hands, providing meals to the homeless.

Sharon developed a great love for the outdoors while a child in Alaska. She was an avid fisherman and hunter. She and Terry enjoyed fishing in Canada, Eastern Washington and the Skagit Valley. She was an avid reader and enjoyed travel, having visited Holland, Israel and the eastern United States.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Gloria Fleck and three brothers, Vance, Vincent and Verner Hanson. She is survived by many nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held on January 24th, 2015 at 11:00 am, at the Cascade Christian Reformed Church, 13908 51st Ave NE, Marysville, Washington. In lieu of flowers, donations to :
Hands Together
c/o Arlington United Church
P.O. Box 266
Arlington, WA
Attn: Margaret Dunnington