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Cynthia Hanson Obituary
Cynthia Anne Hanson
June 25, 1959 - Oct. 11, 2023
LONGVIEW - Cynthia Anne Hanson passed away on October 11, 2023 surrounded by a room full of her loved ones at OHSU in Portland, OR. Cynthia was born on June 25, 1959 in Dragerton, UT where she was raised by her father, Ross Sacco, and her mother, Arlene Sacco. She courageously moved to Longview in her early 20's, where she proceeded to earn her college degree while being a single mother to her two eldest children.
Overcoming adversities during this period of her life ultimately led Cynthia to her passion and gift of supporting others in need. Cynthia was a pillar of her community, working 36 years as a Family Liaison in Longview Public Schools. She spent the bulk of her career serving families at St. Helens Elementary School. She selflessly spent her career and free time improving the lives of others, advocating tirelessly for the less fortunate in her community. Cynthia and her husband, Fred Hanson, worked together at St. Helens Elementary School for 18 years before Fred's retirement in 2019.
Cynthia raised three beautiful children with Fred, whom she married on February 14, 1987. Cynthia's greatest pride and source of joy was being a mother and a grandmother. Her eldest daughter, Jaime White, lives in Bellingham, WA with her husband Chris and her two sons Jacob and Owen, and works as a land use planner. Her son, Nick Hanson, lives in Vancouver, WA with his wife Brooke and two children Nash and Blayklee, and works as a mentor to new teachers in the Vancouver School District. Her youngest daughter, Abbie Hanson, lives in Kirkland, WA and works as a special education teacher in the Northshore School District.
Cynthia is survived by her husband, Fred, her mother, Arlene, her sisters, Jill McKinnon of Kennewick, WA and Cindy March of St. George, UT, her three children, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is reunited with her father, Ross, who passed away in 2016, and her only brother David Sacco, who passed away in October, 2022.
Cynthia was loved by many and had a special way of making people feel valued and cared for. She changed so many, many lives in both her personal and professional life. Those who knew Cynthia also knew Susan Keegan, her best friend. The two were inseparable, especially in the last year of her life. One of the last things Cynthia said was a rendition of our family's annual Christmas toast - "It's a good life when your family are your friends, and your friends are your family." We will miss you endlessly, Cynthia. May Cynthia's kind heart and giving spirit live on in us all
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Cynthia Hanson
Stefanie Hoyt
October 27, 2024
After a year of missing Cynthia, my thoughts and pray continue to be with her family. I miss your sweet smile and fun sense of humor my friend!
Cloe Hallom
May 14, 2024
We will all Miss you!
Cloe L Hallom
Don Loney
Heidi, Amanda & Kyle
Rhonda Witherel
December 20, 2023
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Rhonda Witherel
December 20, 2023
She was a of gold! Beautiful in everyday. It hurts my heart to hear about her passing my condolences to everyone that has crossed her path. She will be missed dearly
Bill Carey
December 19, 2023
Cynthia was the most caring and loving teacher i have ever met, she wholeheartly cared about the children and their familys and made this world a better place. My condolences to Fred and all her family and loved ones she will be a loving memory to me always and a great inspiration. Thank you for all you did to make your community and childrens lives a better place, you are loved.
Stefanie Hoyt
November 6, 2023
I miss our sweet Cynthia more than words can truly convey. I have worked with her for 11 years at St Helens, but she was so much more than a co-worker...she was my dear friend. She loved our kids at school so much. She cared for their families by checking in on them, providing clothes and shoes when they were needed, and making sure that those who needed food had it. If one of my students had been gone a couple of days, Cynthia would make a home visit and make sure that everything was okay. Several times she was able to find students who were homeless and not attending school. She knew our school community so well, and she truly believed in the work she so lovingly did. She devoted her life to serving those in need and supporting educators. What an amazing woman she was! I am truly honored to have become friends with Cynthia over the years. We connected very closely the last several years, which was an absolute honor for me!
Cynthia, I know you are free from the pain and fear that cancer brought. My love and prayers are with your family and friends. Fred and Susan, I pray for you daily. Cynthia, I miss you dearly my sweet friend. May peace be with you.
Patti Reif Henderson
November 6, 2023
We had a lot of fun playing together when we were younger! Dress-up, cartwheels and lots of other stuff! You were so happy and fun! Will always love you!
Patti & Spencer Henderson, Patti is 1st cousin to Cynthia Hanson
November 6, 2023
I wish I could add a current memory Cynthia but we haven't seen each other since our family reunion in 1988, here in Missouri. I loved you then and will always love and miss you Cynthia!! My greatest regret is not being in your life all those years past! We love you and always will! I pray you know this. We love you Cynthia!!
Karen and Pete Pickett
November 5, 2023
The photograph of Cynthia captures her spirit -- so joyful and full of love! That love and joy overflowed to everyone with whom she came in contact. She truly gave herself to the children at St. Helens and to their families. My heart goes out to Fred, her children, and to Susan.
J
November 5, 2023
My condolences, my brother talked dearly about her while at St Helen´s school.
Christopher Anderson
November 4, 2023
The halls of St. Helens are a little quieter with the loss of Cynthia. In the six years I have worked at St. Helens Cynthia always brought a smile to every staff member and every student. She always checked in with every class each morning, had supplies ready for teachers and students, and created a community of love and support to all. Cynthia, you will deeply be missed by all who knew you. Thank you for all you did.
Pam Crisp
November 4, 2023
Cynthia is a superstar through and through! She led with her heart in all her interactions and will truly be missed throughout the community. She will live on in all the lives she touched. Sending much love, prayers, virtual hugs and deep peace to Fred and the family. ~
April Flanders-Lee
November 4, 2023
Her smile and heart, I will always remember. I loved working with her at St. Helens. She was always right there in the doorway of my classroom in the mornings to check in and see if I had a kid in need of something to make their day go better and their basic needs were met. My heart goes out to her family and husband Fred. I can't imagine the 2 of them not together, they loved each other so much. I have so many good memories of working at St. Helens and she was part of so many of those. What a wonderful caring and giving lady. I know you're going to be missed by so many.
Tresa
November 4, 2023
My beautiful Aunt Cynth (as we called her) will be greatly missed. Some of the best times in my life were spent with her and her children - my precious cousins. Cynthia had a way of lighting up any room she was in. She had quick retort and the best sense of humor. You always wanted to hear her opinion or advice. When I was younger she spent the extra time to ensure you were having a great time and even would hang out with me and the cousins on sleep overs with lots of laughs. She had a way of making you feel special and important. When she was around her brother Dave (very recently passed as well) and sister Jill, all of their sense of humors combined in one room would lead to everyone laughing to tears. No comedian today is as funny as they were together. An extra benefit to this was seeing my grandad at the time laugh at them and having a look of being so proud they were his. As life went on and I grew up and became busy with my own family and work we didn´t spend as much time together and I will always regret that, but you always think you have the time and you don´t. Reach out to your love ones today and make the time. Rest in peace Aunt Cynth. I know you are surrounded with laughs with Grandad and Dave.
Samantha Lee
November 3, 2023
My heart goes out to her family! I went to St. Helens Elementary School from kindergarten to 5th grade. I was lucky enough to have met Cynthia. I had her husband as my 3rd and 5th grade teacher! Cynthia would always make sure that my sister and I were being picked up and would wait with us until we were! She had such an amazing heart!
Hope's mom
November 3, 2023
I'm so sorry to hear of Cynthia "Mrs Hansen", my daughter benefitted from her kindness and she was such a sweet, kind-hearted woman, she will be missed.
Theresa Ames
November 2, 2023
So very sorry for your loss. Sending prayers for her family
Jill McKinnon
November 2, 2023
I was so lucky to see my baby sister, two hours after she was born, in a small hospital in Dragerton, Utah. Cynthia was a happy baby! She was a beautiful teenager with a happy spirit and many friends. She set goals for herself and went on to make each goal a reality. One goal was going back to school as a single mother. It was difficult at times, but the well-being and happiness of her children always came first! An indication of her success in this goal is looking at her three grown children (Jaime, Nick, and Abbie) and what wonderful grown adults they are. Cynthia's happiest times were being around her children and grandchildren, her husband Fred, and extended family and friends. The life she lived, the people she encouraged, her determination, and giving unconditional love, should be an inspiration to all of us. Rest in peace baby sister! You are loved and will be missed, but never forgotten.
Jill McKinnon
Jean L McCarroll
November 2, 2023
Cynthia was the best!! I have know Cynthia of over 20 years. She was one of my best and dearest friend! She was so special too me and my family! I am so grateful that Cynthia was in my life. She help me to become a better person and to stand up for myself. She believed in me Cynthia I love you very much!!I think of you often. Love all the Memories and times that I spent with you! Love Jean Mccarroll
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