Hundreds of fun-filled trips, thousands of priceless memories and countless smiles.
That’s the legacy of Mary Jean Hanson, who for 21 years worked as the travel coordinator for the Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Department.
Hanson, a Lake Orion resident, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2015. She was 84.
‘It’s very sad,? said Parks/Rec. Director Ron Davis, who worked with her for 16 years. ‘She was a great lady, not only to the department, but to the community and everybody that she touched. She was one-of-a-kind. She was a remarkable person.?
‘She was one of the nicest ladies I’ve ever worked with,? he continued. ‘I have a place in my heart for her and I’ll never forget her. She was a dear friend, mentor, almost like a mother-figure to me. She’ll be deeply missed.?
She planned trips over land, sea and air to destinations both local and exotic. The majority of folks who went on these excursions were seniors citizens, but they were always open to people of all ages.
Hanson took groups to New Zealand, Australia, England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, Hawaii, Missouri, Florida, Texas, California, Nevada, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina.
‘They went all over the globe,? Davis said.
Within Michigan, she frequently took folks to Frankenmuth, Mackinac Island, Chelsea and Detroit.
Her favorite trips were to Branson, Missouri, a place well-known for its variety of family-friendly musical entertainment.
Hanson’s unwavering commitment to making these trips fun for everyone and her meticulous attention to detail made the travel program extremely popular among residents.
‘It wasn’t a job to her, it was a passion to fulfill the needs and expectations of people when they went on these trips,? Davis said.
She was a people person in the truest sense of the term. She was always sociable and did her very best to make everyone feel welcome with her ever-present smile and her sparkling wit. She didn’t just plan trips, she enhanced the quality of lives.
Davis described her as ‘bubbly, friendly, warm, caring.? Above all, she was ‘genuine.?
‘She truly cared about people,? Davis said.
‘I enjoy being with people,? Hanson told the Leader a few years ago. ‘I’ve met so many wonderful people. I play games on the bus, tell stories. It’s fun.?
In 2011, Hanson’s efforts earned her the ‘Margaret Whitehead Senior of the Year ? Service Award? from the Michigan Recreation and Park Association.
Davis believes Hanson was the epitome of everything this award stands for.
‘It’s about going above and beyond expectations to help others, especially senior citizens,? he explained. ‘Mary Jean exemplified all that. She just worked so tirelessly to make things better for others. She never stopped.?
Although she retired in 2012, Hanson continued to keep an eye on the successful program she built.
‘She always had a place in her heart for the department and for those who went on our trips,? Davis said. ?(After she retired,) she continued to call and see how our travel program was going and what she could do to (help). Today, so many people want to sit back and complain about obstacles. People like Mary Jean went around those obstacles and made things happen.?
Hanson was the loving wife of Bud for 60 years; mother of Catherine (Duane) Soldan, William (Diane) Hanson and Cynthia (Michael) Katz; grandmother of five; great grandmother of two; and sister of Kay Goodlet, the late Barbara Chernavage and the late Shirley Pauls. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Florence McClellan and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Hanson loved her family more than anything. Her greatest joy was to have her children, grandchildren, sisters and friends all together and she spared no expense coordinating family events so that everyone would be included. Hanson worked at Mopar for 15 years and went on to work part-time as the receptionist at Dr. Kuzara’s office.
Hanson was a member of the Lake Orion United Methodist Church for many years and that’s where her memorial service was held on March 18. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lake Orion United Methodist Church. Reflections may be shared by visiting www.sparksgriffin.com