Fay Marilyn Boman Hanson died peacefully Sunday, October 13, 2019, following a brief illness. She was born November 14, 1932, to Albert and Cora Boman in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and was one of nine children. She graduated from Chippewa Falls High School in 1950 and from Wisconsin State College in 1954. Her chosen area of study was Elementary Education.
In June of 1956, she married Donald C. Hanson following his graduation from the Naval Academy, and so began the adventurous life of a Navy Wife. Together they raised 4 daughters while moving to 12 different duty stations in the span of 22 years. The arrival in each new location started with her finding a church home, Girl Scout troops and the local library.
When Don retired from the Navy, they made one of their last moves to Bellevue, Washington, where Fay was active in teaching Sunday School, and also worked for a time as a Para Educator in a Special Needs classroom, which she loved. In 1995, they fully retired to the house they built overlooking the water on Whidbey Island on property they had purchased during one of their two tours of duty to NAS Whidbey. Fay became active in the life of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church as a member of the Altar Guild, Morning Glory Choir, Blanket Workshop, Rebecca Circle and the Second Wednesday Book Group. She also enjoyed several years of volunteering at Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Day Break. She enjoyed working in their yard, traveling both to new places and spending time with her children near and far.
Throughout her life as a mother, Fay was a constant in the lives of her 4 daughters, whether it was leading a Girl Scout Troop, sewing wedding dresses, sharing her love of reading, helping with new grandbabies, helping with older grandchildren or just taking time to talk through life’s moments at the end of the phone. Fay is survived by her daughters, Laura Hulsey (Dan), Sara Schier-Hanson (John), Julie Hanson, and Karen Laub (Jeff); 9 grandchildren Breanna, Ben, Kiera, Sophia, Lucas, Joanna, Ainsley, Owen, and Avery, and one great-grandson, Malakai.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, grandson Erik her parents and several siblings. A Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, October 26th at 2pm at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, 1253 NW Second Avenue. Arrangements were entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Blanket Workshop at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church.