Mary L. Hanson, 89, died a peaceful and natural death on November 15, 2023, in Boise, Idaho.
Mary was born on a farm in Tuttle, Idaho on November 9, 1934. From early childhood, she deeply cherished her parents and family, had many friends, and dreamed of becoming a mother. She loved to whistle and sing, play house, and rollerskate with her friends to the local drive-in to buy an orange. The gift of kindness was instilled in her early on by her father who said “Wake up, smell the roses, and put a smile on someone’s face.”
Mary’s primary interest and love from an early age was small children. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. For many years she managed a home daycare where she nurtured and cared for children. In later years, she enjoyed riding her bike to Smith’s Baby News, where she worked for over a decade helping others find the perfect thing to meet the needs of their growing family. She often said, “Kids are my world.”
Her greatest joy was to make others feel special. Mary had beautiful cursive penmanship and among the many letters she wrote to her friends and relatives, she never missed a holiday or birthday card. She loved to decorate for the holidays with homemade crafts and would begin shopping for Christmas the very next day for the following year. She was an excellent listener, who could always find the perfect gift to make someone feel special and seen.
Among many of her creative talents, her mother taught her how to sew. Mary loved to sew on her mother’s old Singer sewing machine, making costumes, clothes, holiday decorations, and blankets. She was an excellent baker, known at many school bake sales as well as by family, friends, and neighbors for her sugar cookies and cupcakes beautifully decorated with homemade frosting.
She was an avid scrapbooker and crafter and made sure to make enough to share, whether it was with a stranger or child in need. Throughout her entire life, Mary always thought of others and put smiles on countless faces. She donated nearly 200 handmade doll beds and toys to children during the holidays.
Mary is preceded in death by her beloved son, Guy, parents Alexander and Martha McLeod, brother Gerald, and sisters, Jean, Vera, and Myrtle. She is survived by her husband Claude, daughters Andrea and Heidi, daughter-in-law Helena, granddaughters Barbara, Lisa, and Amy, grandson Tucker, and her siblings Lloyd and Margaret.
Her precious heart is carried on by all those whose lives she touched.
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