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Dorothea Hanson Obituary
A native of New York City, she graduated from Radcliffe College in 1951. In 1950 she married Harlan "Harpo" Hanson; at the time he was Senior Tutor of Kirkland house and so she may have been the first Radcliffe student to graduate while living in a River House. In 1957 they moved to Williamstown where Dorothea immediately became an active member of the town and College communities, hosting teas for Williams Freshmen, parenting four kids through the public schools, volunteering at Recording for the Blind, teaching French to 5th and 6th graders in the old Southworth School, and serving on the Board of the ABC program. As the children grew older she worked at Williams College as Foreign Student Advisor, Director of Overseas Studies programs, and Coordinator of the Weston Language Center. She generously shared her life-long love of cooking, art, languages and travel with countless students, colleagues, friends, and family.
Survivors include John Hanson (Elizabeth) of Cambridge MA, Charles Hanson (Katharine) of Redwood City CA, and Dorothea of The Hague, Netherlands, daughter-in-law Carol of Wilmington MA, as well as nine adored grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Harpo and eldest son Caleb.
A Memorial Service will be held at the family's convenience. Donations in memory of Dorothea Hanson can be made to A Better Chance abetterchance.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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