Lynn Ellen Hanson, 73, New Smyrna Beach FL died Monday, January 31, 2011 after a brief but aggressive bout with cancer. Her life will be celebrated with a Memorial Service at Trinity Lutheran Church, Turnbull Bay Blvd. at 2:00 PM Sunday, February 6, with Pastor Don Reiter officiating.
She is survived by Perry, her husband of 51 years, by her sons Nathan (Lara) of St. Paul, MN, Peter (Sarah) of Dakar, Senegal, and Michael of San Diego, CA., as well as by her sister, LeeAnn Meyer of White Bear Lake, MN. A real joy in her life is time spent with her grandsons, Elijah and Simon. A deep sorrow for her was the death of her grandson, Kaj.
Lynn has touched many lives as a wife, mother, grandmother, nurse, and committed church member. With her pastor husband she has been deeply involved in ministry in congregations in New York, Maine, Maryland, Florida, Minnesota, and Virginia. Her career in nursing included work as a hospital nurse, school nurse, and public health nurse. Her final 14 years of nursing were spent as a college nursing professor, including her five final years before retirement as the Dean of the School of Nursing at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV. In retirement she has been the Parish Nurse at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Smyrna Beach.
Lynn has demonstrated a strong commitment to the communities she has lived in and especially to ministries of mercy and justice for the people within them. She has been involved locally in the F.A.I.T.H. justice ministry, in Family Promise, the New Smyrna Beach Theology Club, as well as the social concerns ministry of her congregation. As a teacher and friend she has frequently served in the role of mentor and life-coach to young people and to the aging.
She leaves behind many wonderful memories of a life lived with purpose, love, empathy, and generosity of spirit. She will be greatly missed.
Memorial donations are requested to Trinity Lutheran Church 485 Turnbull Bay Road New Smyrna Beach FL 32168.
My sympathy goes out to all her family.
Emily Veracka
May the comfort from family and friends strengthen you during this difficult time, and may you find comfort in the words found in the Holy Scriptures: "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."
My condolences to all who love her.