Barbara Ann Hanson

Barbara Ann McCrory Hanson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away in Houston on Tuesday, the 24th of July 2018, at her home, surrounded by her family. Coincidentally, Barbara was born in her parent’s home in Houston on the 23rd of August 1932.

She graduated from Lamar High School in 1950 and attended the University of Houston where she met the love of her life, Neil Hanson. The two wed on the 17th of November 1951 and shared 58 wonderful years together. They were members of St. Cecilia Catholic Church since 1961 and Barbara served in the Women’s Club and as a Eucharistic Minister. She was active at all of her children’s schools, serving on the St. Agnes Mother’s Club Board and as President of the St. Thomas Mother’s Club, where she initiated the first Mother-Son Style Show in 1971, a tradition that still continues today. She was a member of the Newman Circle and an Emeritus member of the Charity Guild of Catholic Women.

Barbara’s true joy in life was being with her family and friends, whether entertaining in her home, her ranch or on the water on the Wildcat; or just catching up with a friend in her living room and enjoying a Crown Royal old-fashioned or a glass of Champagne. She loved to travel. One of her favorites was New York City and all of her children and grandchildren relished the trips to the Plaza with Granny and Papa to see Broadway plays and to dine at the 21 Club. She never left the house unless she was impeccably dressed and coiffed and was widely loved by the staff at Neiman Marcus. She loved to entertain and was a consummate and gracious host, and she always made everyone feel welcome and included. She was kind to anyone who was lucky enough to meet her and she never met a stranger. Everyone felt like they were her best friend from the waiters at Carrabba’s to the parkers at Lakeside Country Club. She was beautiful inside and out, with a strong faith that carried her through good times and bad.

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Neil Hanson; her son, Mike Hanson; her parents, Ed and Helen McCrory; and her brother, Mike McCrory. Barbara leaves behind four children and their spouses who she loved as her own, Chris and Cindy Hanson, Tina and Ben McCarthy, Erik and Lisa Hanson, and Kurt and Susan Hanson. She was also precious, loving “Granny” to Tina and Jeremy Johnson, Christopher and Michelle Hanson, Michael and Jennifer Hanson, Burton and Gracilynn Hanson, Anah and Lysle Witter, Jennifer and Alex Perez, Blake and Sheena McCarthy, Kate McCarthy, Elisabeth and Matt Koehler, Luke Hanson, Chelsea Hanson, Caroline Hanson and Kurt Hanson, Jr.; and thirteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Don and Pat McCrory; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Houston Hospice and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for their wisdom and guidance during Mom’s final weeks.

The family is extremely grateful for the loving care that Mom received from her caregivers, Marti Cazeres, Mary Caseres, Blanca Maulion, and especially her loyal and constant friend and companion, Leonard Roy.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until half-past six o’clock in the evening on Sunday, the 29th of July, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where a Vigil Service, led by Deacon Sam Mancuso, is to follow.

A Mass of Christian Burial is to be offered at ten o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 30th of July, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Drive in Houston, celebrated by the Rev. Ronald Schwenzer, C.S.B.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Community Center.

The family will then gather for a private Rite of Committal at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.

Honored to serve as pallbearers during the services are Jeremy Johnson, Christopher Hanson, Michael Hanson, Burton Hanson, Lysle Witter, Alex Perez, Blake McCarthy, Matt Koehler, Luke Hanson and Kurt Hanson.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to St. Cecilia Catholic School, 11740 Joan of Arc, Houston, TX, 77024; to St. Agnes Academy, 9000 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX, 77036; or to St. Thomas High School, 4500 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX, 77007.