Carolyn Patricia Hansen

Carolyn Patricia Smith was born July 31st, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois, to Macdonald and Marguerite Smith. She was raised in Chicago and Litchfield, Illinois where she spent her high school years with her aunt and uncle, Ethel and Dewey Randle. She graduated in 1946 from Litchfield High School and then graduated from the University of Maryland in College Park, where she majored in English and journalism, wrote for the college newspaper and was active in dance. She pledged Pi Beta Phi as part of its inaugural chapter at Maryland, and served the sorority as Social Chairman. She was also a member of Pi Delta Epsilon, the honorary collegiate journalism fraternity.

After graduating from Maryland in 1950, she worked in New York City as a writer and editor in the fashion industry before and during the early years of her marriage to Charles Hansen. The wed in 1953, and their children Mark and Melissa were born in 1956 and 1959 respectively.

Carolyn devoted herself completely and selflessly to her family, and was a kind and compassionate friend to people and animals who most needed a friend. On her desk at her death, intermingled with years of saved cards, notes, and recipes, was a yellow scrap with the following quotation from Emerson:

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. That is to have succeeded."

Carolyn is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, her children Mark of Washington, D.C., and Melissa of Espanola, New Mexico, and her grandchildren Elisabeth Hansen of New York, New York, Caroline Hansen of Hanover, New Hampshire, and Charles Hansen of Washington, D.C.

There will be a memorial service at The First Congregational Church of St. Louis, 6501 Wydown Blvd., Clayton, MO 63105 at 1:00 p.m. on July 8th, 2014. Anyone wishing to send gifts of remembrance should send them to either the Missouri Humane Society, 1201 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 or Stray Rescue of St. Louis, 2320 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103.

To My Wife: "My Love"

Who knew that one sweet kiss,

Would lead to 60 years of bliss.

But that's what has transpired,

A love by God inspired.