Helen R Hanson

Helen Jean Hanson (née Rondo), aged 80, passed away surrounded by family on February 17th, 2023 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, IL, after a courageous battle with myelofibrosis and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Originally from Patterson, New Jersey, she was the only child of Edmund and Jean Rondo (née Sinkankas). Helen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1964 from Douglass College at Rutgers University, and a Master of Art in Music Education from the University of Minnesota, where she met her husband, Douglas John Paul Hanson and married December 29, 1967 in New Jersey. Together they raised 3 children in Downers Grove, Illinois to be independent and kind, and instilling strong values of hard work, fairness and compassion. Helen was passionate about music, and as a piano teacher and singer, imparted that passion to all of her children. Helen was quiet, but fiercely independent, and a lover of reading and education. Helen was a dedicated member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church for over 45 years.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Douglas John Hanson, and survived by her daughter, Karla Jean Hanson; son, Eric John Edmund Hanson and his wife Ellen Ryan; daughter, Kirsten Marie Lee and her husband Tom Lee; and their four children (her grandchildren), Korey Lee (24), Alexis Lee (23), Connor Lee (18) and Alysa Lee (14).

A service will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church 1125 Franklin St, Downers Grove, IL 60515 on Sunday, February 26th at 3:00pm, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Red Cross in Helen’s name.

https://americanredcross.donordrive.com/campaign/In-memory-of-Helen-Hanson