Rena Hansen

CORTLAND - Rena Hansen, 96, died quietly on Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Lake Vista Retirement Community. She was born on December 10, 1917 in Baltimore, Maryland, the daughter of the late Colin and Tirzah (Caldwell) Odell.

Rena attended art school in Detroit, MI where she met her husband, Hans H. Hansen. After their wedding they moved to Warren, OH. Rena taught art at the Rebecca Williams Community Center and YMCA, and, wrote ads for several local businesses. She attended Kent State Extension in Warren, and received her BA degree from Hiram College. Rena was active at Central Christian Church where she became the Director of Religious Education.

Rena and Hans moved to New Your City in 1966 where Rena received her master's degree in Comparative Religion from Columbia and Union Theological Seminary. While in New York, Rena worked for the National Council of Churches and did editorial work for the magazine "Women Artists News." After they moved to City Island, NY, Rena wrote and did photography for the "City Island Current" newspaper. Rena also worked as a docent and attended classes at Purchase College, a part of New York University. Rena returned to Oho in 2004.

During all this time Rena did her art (drawing, painting, photography, and pottery) and read extensively. She was also an avid feminist.

Memories of Rena will be carried on by her son, James C. Hansen of St. John's Newfoundland; daughter, Kirsten (Bob) Burkey of Cortland, OH; daughter-in-law, Alice Fordon Hansen of Traverse City, MI; grandson, Noah (Shaina) Hansen of St. John's Newfoundland; granddaughter, Nell (Curtis) Flynn of St. John's Newfoundland; granddaughter, Elise (Pete) Magill of McDonald, OH; grandson, Kyle (Lisa) Burkey of Charlotte, NC; granddaughter, Stacie Hansen of Pomfret, CT; granddaughter, Erica Hansen of Boston, MA; and eight great-grandchildren.

Rena was preceded in death by her husband, Hans H. Hansen, and son, Charles Hansen.

Donations in Rena's honor may be made to Trumbull Art Gallery, PO Box 888, Warren, OH, 44482. Rena and Hans were a part of TAG from its beginning in the 1950's. Art was an important part of both their lives.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 16, 2014 from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Lake Vista Clubhouse, 303 N. Mecca ST. (Rt. 46) in Cortland for a Memorial Gathering and to visit and see Rena's varied art work.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland and Son Funeral and Cremation Services Co, 271 North Park Avenue, Warren, OH 44481, 330-393-9621. Please visit www.McFarlandCares.com to view this obituary, and send condolences.