Susan Dianne Hanson
October 11, 1945 - September 17, 2022
Obituary
Susan Dianne Hanson
1945-2022
Susan Dianne Hanson, 76, of Kent, Washington, passed away surrounded by her loving family on September 17, 2022 from complications from surgery to repair her hip after a fall. Susan’s final years were marked by a prolonged struggle with brochiectasis, a condition she developed as a result of Legionnaire’s Disease that she contracted in 1981. She was a strong and courageous woman who fiercely fought thyroid cancer in 1975 and the brochiectasis that would eventually take her from us.
Susan was born on October 11, 1945 to Robert (Bob) and Frances (Fran) Downing in Seattle, Washington. The oldest of four children, she spent her childhood in West Seattle and Burien, attending Holy Rosary and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Schools. After graduating from Holy Names Academy in Seattle in 1964, she briefly studied at the University of Washington and Highline Community College.
In 1963, she met her best friend and the love of her life, Roger. After three years of courtship, Roger and Susan wed in 1967. Shortly after their marriage, Roger and Susan moved to Minnesota when Roger accepted a job with 3M. While living in Minnesota, Roger and Susan had two children, Eric and Kristin.
When Susan had Eric, she decided to dedicate her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. Susan also made it her mission to improve the lives of others, volunteering countless hours with the Minnesota Jaycees and St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Cottage Grove, Minnesota.
In 1978, the family returned to Washington and settled in Kent. Roger went on to work for the Boeing Company, while Susan again focused on volunteering.
In 1981, Susan returned to her collegiate studies at Green River Community College and the University of Washington. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from UW in 1984.
Before graduating, Susan had already landed her first job as a news editor for radio station KING-AM (KING 1090). Susan became a show producer for several on-air personalities including Jim Althoff, Chris Brecher, and John Hinterberger. In 1994, KING-AM changed its format to low-overhead All News Radio from The Associated Press, laying off the majority of their staff. Following the layoff, Susan continued to utilize her well-honed communication skills for several other companies including GTS Drywall and TrueSoups. In 2003, Susan retired from the workforce and she was able to spend her days helping her mother, being a grandmother, and sewing.
In the early 1980s, Susan was a Girl Scout Troop leader for several years and participated in the local Seattle Children’s Hospital Guild Association. A woman of faith, she coordinated the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church for many years in the 1980s. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Susan and Roger became group leaders for several classes of high school juniors and seniors seeking to be confirmed into the Catholic Church.
Susan was a loving, caring and supportive person who always enjoyed helping others. She was a voracious reader, an accomplished seamstress, a life-long learner, a lover of jazz, and a world traveler. She loved to craft clothing and home décor for herself and her family, including the special dress she made to celebrate her granddaughter’s baptism and confirmation. She read the New York Times and Seattle Times cover to cover daily, challenging herself to complete the daily crossword and any other puzzle she could get her hands on. KPLU / KNKX was always on and she was sure to be listening to NPR and her beloved jazz from morning to night.
Susan especially enjoyed traveling to Europe with her best friend and love of 59 years, Roger. Together they traveled all over, immersing themselves in the culture of many countries including France and their favorite city Paris, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Slovenia. She cherished the memories made on each trip and took great joy in sharing what she loved about Europe with her family during their trip to Europe in the summer of 2016 to celebrate Roger’s retirement from The Boeing Company.
Susan will be eternally remembered by her loving husband, Roger, two brothers, Steve (Mary) Downing and John (Dawn) Downing, brother-in-law Robert Schmidt, sister-in-law Judy Fox, brother and sister-in-law Vic and Gabi Hanson, her two children, Eric and his wife Cheryl and Kristin and her husband Bill, and her granddaughter, Teeghan. Susan was predeceased by her parents, Bob and Fran, and her sisters, Teresa and Patti.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in memory of Susan on Thursday, October 13, at 11:00 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 25810 156th Ave SE, Covington, WA. Burial will immediately follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, 37600 Pacific Hwy S, Federal Way, WA 98003.
The family wishes to thank Susan’s comprehensive medical team at Virginia Mason while they navigated the diagnosis and treatment of her bronchiectasis, and the Virginia Mason CCU for their exceptionally professional and compassionate care in Susan’s final days. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her name to the Virginia Mason Foundation, the American Cancer Society or your local public radio station.
Susan was my life-long best friend and soulmate. I was gifted to be married to her for 55 years.
Sweet dreams, prayers for your family at this time.