Jane Kimball Hansen

Jane Kimball Hansen of Orleans, MA, formerly of New Providence, NJ passed away at home, in the company of her loving family, on Monday, March 29, 2021. Jane was born in East Orange, NJ to Thomas G. and Irma Weed Kimball.

Jane grew up in Summit, NJ with her sister, Ann. The girls enjoyed their summer adventures in Southhampton, NY with their much-loved aunt, Lois Isabel Kimball, who exposed them to art, poetry, nature and a love of sailing on Long Island Sound. It was an exciting time and formative to Jane’s life perspective.

Jane married the love of her life, Ralph T. Hansen, in the fall of 1951. She taught Ralph to sail, before they were married. Boating, racing sailboats and their enjoyment of lakes and the ocean became a central focus in their life together. Jane and Ralph were happily married for 69 years and deeply devoted to their children Tom, Robin, and David.

Jane graduated from Endicott Junior College and Kean College in New Jersey where she completed her undergraduate degree while raising her three young children. She was employed as an administrative assistant in Manhattan, NY; New Providence, NJ; and Summit, NJ. Jane was proud to help finance her children’s college educations.

The Hansen family enjoyed many camping trips and adventures together, including a cross-country trip across the U.S. and visits to Lake St. George in Waldo County, ME and Kezar Lake in Lovell, ME. Jane was an active member of Hunterdon Sailing Club at Spruce Run Reservoir in Clinton, NJ for almost thirty years. She was an excellent Jet-14 (one-design) crew and raced in various Women’s Sunfish Race Series. She delighted in her friendships with other sailing families and the summer picnics at the lake and dinner parties during winter.

In 1997, Ralph and Jane moved to Orleans, MA where they enjoyed some of the happiest times of their lives together. Jane deepened her amazing talent for turning out intricate hand-knit sweaters, enjoyed walking on Cape Cod beaches and around Arey’s Pond. She enjoyed an active social life playing mahjong, volunteering with the Lower Cape Outreach, getting together with neighborhood friends for group dinners, bicycling with a local club and attending services at the Federated Church of Orleans. Upon joining the Orleans Yacht Club, Ralph and Jane quickly became active members both on and off the water.

The light of Jane’s life was her family. The July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Cape Cod visits with family were full of board games, croquette and puzzles with grandkids; delicious meals (her bean casserole was legendary); firework displays organized by her grandchildren; laughter and joy. Nana’s kitchen was always open and always full of love. She will be dearly missed.

Jane was predeceased by her husband, Ralph, and her sister, Ann Kimball Hanold. She is survived by her children, Tom (Donna), Robin (James) Gaul, David (Anne); her grandchildren, Sarah, Emily (Christopher) Canarini, Anna Gaul (Dang Pham), Christopher, Maxwell; her great grandson, Owen Canarini, her nieces and nephews.

Jane is laid to rest in the National Cemetery in Bourne, MA next to her husband, Ralph with a private family memorial service to be held later. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are welcome to any Hospice organization or Lower Cape Outreach at PO Box 665, Orleans, MA 02653. The Hansen family is deeply grateful to Broad Reach Hospice and Jane’s home health aides for the comfort, support and loving care they provided to Jane and her family. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.