Hannah Paulsen

1994 - 2017

Hannah Suzanne Paulsen, age 22, a longtime resident of Naperville, IL, was born in Downers Grove, Illinois on August 22, 1994 and passed away surrounded by family and friends on March 3, 2017 after 2 ½ years of battling a brain tumor. Hannah attended Ranch View Elementary, Kennedy Junior High and was a 2012 graduate of Naperville Central High School. She was diagnosed shortly after completing two years at College of DuPage. She was a member of the Kennedy and Naperville Central Cross Country teams. Hannah was an avid photographer. She especially loved to work with light photography. One of her favorite things to photograph was her sister hula hooping with an LED hoop. She was also an artist and took up painting after her diagnosis. A year after her diagnosis, Hannah lost use of her dominant arm and hand. This did not stop her from painting; she adapted and used her left hand creating beautiful canvases. Since day one of her diagnosis, Hannah never had a negative thought or word about it. She was all about "positivity". She was determined to fight and enjoy life to the fullest. When people would talk of miracles around her, she would often say, "I am the Miracle". She maintained that attitude through to the end. She continued to work at Brunswick for about a year until it became too difficult to stand for long periods of time. She attended concerts and went to many music festivals around the country. Her favorite artist was Tipper. She became friends with him and his manager and they hosted her for a three-day event for her 21st birthday weekend. She was also a special guest of Tipper's recently at a Pretty Lights event at Northerly Island. She became well known in the Tipper Community. Hannah loved to go on what she called adventures. These could be as big as a road trip with her mom to Georgia or as little as visiting her favorite tree at the Morton Arboretum. She was constantly looking for places to visit and take pictures. Even as she became wheelchair bound she would seek places to adventure to. Hannah was a superb listener, a kind soul, and if you only met her once you couldn't help being captivated by this along with her calmness and her smile. Hannah truly was an inspiration to many. Hannah is survived by her parents, Carl and Rebecca, her sisters and best friends, Colette (20), Camille (18) and Naomi (15). She is also survived by her grandparents, Ruth & Jack Force, Karen & Mike Weleba and Dave Paulsen, her Aunt Jenny and Uncle Russ Spejewski, and her Uncle Rob Force and Uncle Naru Osada; along with many cousins and friends. For those who would like to leave a lasting tribute to Hannah's life, memorial donations may be directed to the Neuro-Oncology Research Fund, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Box 30, 225 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2991, In Memory of Hannah Paulsen. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 7, 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville. A Celebration of Hannah's life will follow at 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Interment will be private. For information please call 630/355-0213 or visit www.friedrich-jones.com