Tribute Wall
In Memory of
Irene M. Hansen
1921 - 2019
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Julie Medina lit a candle
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
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Barbara Briscoe posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Eulogy Aug. 6, 2019
What gratitude I have for my friendship with Irene over the last many years of her life!
Irene was my mom’s cousin and dear friend and so, as a child, there were many visits to the Hansen’s in Hollister.
I remember Irene’s delicious chicken dinners, their dog “Tippy” and sitting down with The Reader’s Digest. For many years, she and Mert, would stop at our house on Sundays after visiting with their son, Steve, in San Jose; the men drinking highballs and mom and Irene sipping tea.
I came to know Irene as a very independent woman, graduating from college in the ’40’s and teaching while also raising her two sons Mike and Steve. She spoke about girls’ weekends in Carmel, The Chicken Shack and even lone drives to have lunch at Casanova.
For many of us, Irene was a connection to our Swiss heritage and a world before our time. The tragedy of WWII was skewed by Irene’s memories of dances with the soldiers at the USO in Monterey. She loved to dance! ... and would embrace any opportunity to find herself on the dance floor. As she wrote to my dad in his 80th birthday card, “I was glad Dot didn’t like fast numbers because then I could jitterbug, with you.”
We have all marveled at Irene’s memory. Not just the mere fact that she remembered an event but its most minute details, “VJ Day 1945. I had my wisdom teeth pulled and my mom picked me up in her RED shoes.” When she and Dot picked up Mert from Beals Air Force Base upon his discharge, she told the story of their journey - the roads they drove, the conversations they had and the giggles they shared.
On one of our lunch outings, I asked Irene about the pin on her lapel. She told me her father stored the belongings of a Japanese family while they were interned during WWII. When the family returned they gave the hand-carved and painted pin as an expression of their gratitude.
That same day as we were visiting in her living room, Irene asked me to go into her bedroom and look for a soldier holding a red drum that had been pinned to her bedroom wall; she wanted to tell me the story of its origin. Sure enough there was a red soldier with his drum, barely the size of my palm, just inside the door, nailed above the light switch. She proceeded to tell me that the soldier was a gift from a young boy she tutored who was in a wheelchair.
I don’t know what possessed Irene to tell me this story but I was struck by the theme of generosity-and-gratitude being repeated over and over again in our conversation and displayed on every inch of her walls. Surrounded by hundreds of little trinkets, mostly gifts she had received over the years - Irene had a story for each item, a date in time, an outstretched hand in some act of love, gratitude, acknowledgement. In the confines of a quansut hut, Irene’s home told the story of her rich life - made up of many gestures of love and kindness both given and returned.
Most of us have probably enjoyed her Almond Roca that she gave to the godchildren for Xmas or the chocolate covered caramel and apricot bars that she so faithfully gave in gratitude for the smallest of effort.
In spite of Irene’s arthritic pain, she chose to stay connected and involved. She would say, “I could stay home with pain or go out with pain! I would rather go out!” Irene only accepted help when she needed it and though walking with her walker was an obvious strain, early on, she would insist on walking me out to my car to say good-bye.
Irene was not a woman who easily gave up or gave in. I admired how she maintained her dignity, independence and kind intent to the very end.
So Irene, we will cherish the stories of your life, the memory of your kindness AND your company. You will be missed!
“....and as the old song goes, Thanks for the Memory.”
By Barbara Briscoe
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Juli Vieira lit a candle
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
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A very special lady and teacher. I was privileged to have her as my reading teacher many years ago.
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Stefanie Briscoe and Robin Blakley uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, August 4, 2019
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Rose Tharp, Irene, Dotty Briscoe and Ruth Vosti 2003
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Stefanie Briscoe and Robin Blakley uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, August 4, 2019
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Irene and Dotty Briscoe 1943
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matilda salcido lit a candle
Sunday, August 4, 2019
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I will never forget you Irene, you are always in my prayers. Love you Tillie.
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Yvonne Salcido lit a candle
Sunday, August 4, 2019
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Your mother was a beautiful lady, she was part of our family. She will be missed greatly. I will miss coming home to the ranch and seeing her and hearing her stories.
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Stefanie Briscoe and Robin Blakley uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, August 3, 2019
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Thanksgiving 2018
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Stefanie Briscoe and Robin Blakley uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, August 3, 2019
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Annual Christmas lunch at Casanova in Carmel
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The family of Irene M. Hansen uploaded a photo
Friday, August 2, 2019
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Please wait
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Cathy Martinez lit a candle
Friday, August 2, 2019
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My sincere condolences to Irene's family and friends. She was such a nice person and a long time customer at my place of work.
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Linda Poletti Keller lit a candle
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
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Our deepest sympathy and prayers to the Hansen family on their recent loss.
With Love,
The Poletti Family
870 San Benito Street | Hollister, California | 95023
Phone: (831) 637-3757 | Fax: (831) 637-8959 | Email: Grunnagles@gmail.com
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
On Call 24/7
