Obituary of Irene R. Hanson

Irene R. Hanson, 89 of East Haven passed away peacefully April 11, 2013 at Yale New Haven Hospital with her family by her side. She was born November 2, 1923 in Marble, Colorado to William and Gyneth (Pedigo) Tate. Irene is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Howard A. Hanson Sr., sisters, Velda Andrews, Evelyn Smith, Margaret Goodwin and brothers, Jack Tate and Robert Tate. She is survived by daughter, Madeline Marchitto and Joe Cavo of West Haven, son, Howard A. Hanson Jr. and his wife, Kimberly (Bachman) of East Haven, grandchildren, Steven Marchitto, Jody Persson (Dan), Kara Hanson and Shane Hanson. Irene is also survived by eight great grandchildren, Danielle, Danny, Kaylee, Lucy, Logan, Isabelle, Sean and Grace Persson and three sisters, Bette Black, Barbara Smith and Joanne Burns. Irene met the love of her life, Howard Sr. while he was in a hospital in Glenwood Springs, Colorado during WWII and then moved to Connecticut to live and raise her family. Irene started working for A.C. Gilbert where she met lifelong friends. She then started her career on the Railroad as an Administrative Secretary which started in 1955 and spanned four Railroads beginning with the New York, New Haven and Hartford, onto Penn Central, from there to Conrail and finally retiring after 31+ years from Metro-North Railroad in 1986. She met many close friends througout her career. She was a devoted, caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and best friend to all. Irene enjoyed vacations in Maine earlier in her life and had many memorable trips and reunions with her sisters and entire family throughout all her years. She was a dedicated supporter and fan to her families in their many sport activities and was a UConn basketball fan. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the entire staff at Yale New Haven Hospital CCU Unit for the special care and compassion that was given to Irene during her stay. Family will receive friends from 6 PM to 8 PM on Mon., 4/15/2013 at Clancy Funeral Home, 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. Family and friends are invited to meet and attend a graveside service at East Lawn Cemetery, East Haven at 11 AM on Tue., 4/16/2013. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to East Haven Animal Shelter,183 Commerce St.,East Haven,CT 06512 in memory of Irene Hanson. Please visit www.ClancyFuneralHome.com for memorial tributes.