Kathleen Delia Hansen

Kathleen Delia Hansen (nee Wynne) died on July 19, 2022, at the age of 85. She was devoted to those she loved, generous always, appreciative without fail, playful and mischievous, and liberal with kindness. She had a great sense of humor and the laugh to back it up. Kathleen was a voracious reader who loved giving away her latest favorite book and an adventuresome and intrepid traveler who said yes just about every time someone said, “Let’s go!” A truly dedicated nurse, Kathleen learned the art and science of nursing from the Sisters of the Bon Secours School of Nursing and delivered compassionate care to the patients of Bon Secours Hospital in West Baltimore for close to 50 years. Kathleen is survived by her husband of 64 years, Robert F. (Bob) Hansen, who held her hand to the end, and by her 5 children and their families: Mary Beth and her partner Lisa Wolf; Laurie and her husband John Gallagher and children Patrick, Ethan, and Holly; Peggy and her sons Casey and Colin Engel; Kathleen (KMF) and her husband Chip Fisher; and Bobby and his wife Renee and their children Julia and Josh. She is also survived by her sister, Madelyn (Lynda) Fox, and 2 great-grandchildren. Kathleen cherished her times at the beach, whether with her KMF and friend Sandy; or with Laurie, John, Patrick, Ethan, and Holly; MB and Lisa; Bobby, Renee, Julia, and Josh; or with Bob and her own children when all were young. “Sea Witch Weekend” in Rehoboth was a particular joy, especially when she fashioned a fantastic witch costume and dyed her face green to parade with her grandchildren. She also loved dressing up as the Christmas Angel and plotting elaborate schemes to surprise and enchant Laurie’s kids without revealing the angel’s true identity. Kathleen enjoyed family get-togethers, especially with Chip’s good cheer and warm hospitality, and the festive enthusiasm of honorary family member Karen S. Among her favorite travel memories were hiking the mountains of Mexico, walking Big Sur, and visiting Russia with her great friend, Elaine C. Kathleen loved Ireland and dreamed of returning. One of her best adventures is memorialized in a photo of Kathleen atop the camel that carried her into the Kenyan bush. Kathleen never stopped missing her best friend Sheila O.; appreciating her friend-for-life Brian R.; and treasuring her many fond memories of Barbara G., Ed L., Mary Ellen S., Alice H., Bernie T., Mary B., and many, many others. She looked forward to annual reunions with classmates from St. Bernadine’s Elementary School, Institute of Notre Dame High School, and Bon Secours School of Nursing. Kathleen loved her family and friends; her cat Oscar; Elvis; Matt and James (the trainers who helped her get strong); Doug (the physical therapist who helped her regain strength); the Heartlands staff; and her always wise and deeply compassionate physician, Jessica C. She never failed to help, and Kathleen was generous with kindness, comfort, and caring in the face of needs large or small. She was strong, funny, loyal, honorable, and trustworthy. She was always on time. And she always got to the hospital—no mere snowstorm would keep her from getting to work. Kathleen will be dearly missed. She chose cremation without a service, but, please, take a moment to celebrate her life with a toast of good Irish whiskey, a welldrawn Guinness, a Jim Beam and diet coke, or a dark chocolate nonpareil; or give a heartfelt compliment to someone in her honor; or have a big, long laugh at something funny and imagine her laughing with you. To extend generosity in Kathleen’s name, you might consider St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.