Barbara "Bar" Hanson

BarbaraHanson Barbara "Bar" Hanson, 84, loving daughter, mom and friend passed away Thursday, February 6, of natural causes at her home in Rancho Mirage, CA. She had struggled with COPD and heart disease for many years but she remained a positive, happy person always with a ready smile. Her sparkling, smiling blue eyes and her big, heartfelt laugh would light up any group. Bar is survived by her son Jeffrey Sullivan of Littleton, CO, her daughter Lynn, son-in-law Jeffrey and granddaughters Johanna and Rosie Dooley of Petaluma, CA. Bar has always been surrounded by true and loving friends, some of whom she has known since her elementary school days at Montclair Kimberly Academy. She also has enduring friendships she made while attending Connecticut College where she earned her degree in English Literature. At college, Bar was a founding member of the Conn Chords choral group. Singing continued to be a passion for her after college. As a member of the Junior League she sang at hospitals and nursing homes while living in Connecticut with her first husband Robert Sullivan. After settling in the Bay Area she worked at the side of her second husband Herbert Hanson to start their successful company Hanson Investment Management Corporation. In 2010 Bar established a residence at Villa Marin in San Rafael, CA, where she lived a portion of each year, and where she immediately made lasting friendships. In California, Bar continued her love of volunteering working at Guide Dogs for the Blind. She also joined Palm Springs Pathfinders, an organization dedicated to raising funds for the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs and Pathfinder Ranch. Bar was their treasurer for seven years and was awarded the Pathfinders Woman of the Year Award in 2010. For ten years Bar supported Pathfinder Ranch's Equestrian Program which provides a year's full care of a horse. And, Bar donated The Hanson House, a VIP residence at Pathfinder Ranch serving underprivileged schools and non-profit organizations. Bar was an accomplished seamstress and among her many talents were needlework, crafts and the ability to fix anything from lamps to electronics. She loved crosswords, dominoes and reading. To the surprise of her children, Bar loved to watch hockey. With the care and friendship of her caregiver of the past four years Robert Glass as well as her family, Bar was able to travel to Hawaii and Mexico for family reunions despite her failing health. She was always the life of the party! Bar will be remembered for her strong, generous spirit always giving to others. Thanks Mom, we love you! In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Palm Springs Pathfinders, P.O. Box 5005, Rancho Mirage, CA, 92270, 760.328.2277.