Karen A. Hansen

Karen A. Hansen, 84, of West Hartford, Connecticut passed away peacefully on September 25, 2022. Karen was born in Corning, NY, the daughter of Holger T. Hansen and Beatrice (Galusha) Hansen. She came to West Hartford at the age of three. Karen attended West Hartford Public schools, graduating from the old Hall High School, now the Town offices. Karen went on to college and attended Earlham College in Indiana, graduating with a degree in history and political science. After graduation, she taught at the Oak Wood School in Poughkeepsie, New York. From Oak Wood, she went on to the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts for graduate work. Karen returned to Connecticut to teach at the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, CT for several years before accepting an opportunity at UConn Law School as Director of Admissions. She continued in higher education working at CCSU as Associate Dean of Student Services, including career services, co-op, counseling, educational opportunities, and other services until she retired. Karen enjoyed music, reading, travel, all things politics and daily monitoring with interest in world events. Karen is survived by Barbara Snowden Van Dine, a life-long companion since childhood, Laura Van Dine (Robert Wolinski), Tisa Van Dine, Lee Van Dine (Nancy) and four granddaughters, Samantha Wolinksi (Michael Moote), Jessica Wolinski, Anna Van Dine, and Georgia Van Dine; a brother G. Holger Hansen (Anne), a sister Diane Hansen, and a brother David Hansen (Cathy); a nephew Peter Hansen (Allison Chisholm), nieces Debra McConnell (Jim), Sarah Hansen (John Terwilliger), Marta Wicke (Nate), Erica Hansen, and Rebecca Armstrong (Arlo) and several grandnieces and nephews. Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Karen's name can be made to the Girl Scouts of America, Connecticut Chapter, 340 Washington Street, Hartford, CT, 06106 or the McAuley Resident Association Flower Committee, 275 Steele Road, West Hartford, CT, 06117.