Rose T. Hanson

Rose Theresa Hanson, 84, of Worcester, died Saturday, May 31, at the Christopher House of Worcester after a long illness.

She leaves her brother John F. Hanson of Worcester, several nephews, and many great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Rose was predeceased by her sisters, Mary Ann Gallagher and her husband James, and Jane E. Rourke and her husband James, her nephew James Rourke III, and her beloved dog Toto.

Rose was born in Brewer, Maine daughter of Charles F. and Mary H. (McPherson) Hanson and moved to Worcester in 1949 when her father was transferred by the railroad. She graduated from St. Peter Central Catholic High School and studied accounting at Bristol Community College in Fall River.  She also received a tax preparation certificate from H&R Block.

From 1957 to 1969, Rose was a secretary in the offices of the superintendent of Worcester City Hospital.

Beginning in 1977, she worked in the electric utility industry.  In a power industry career spanning more than 30 years, she provided administrative support in various areas of company management including human resources, public relations, scheduling and record keeping. 

After her retirement in the 1990s, Rose moved from Maine to West Palm Beach where she lived with her brother John for 16 years.   They returned to Worcester in 2017.

Rose loved to read, crochet, draw and shop. She summered in Maine for many years and traveled to Ireland, Spain and several other European countries.

She had a strong Catholic faith and was a gentle, loving and charitable person.  She enjoyed socializing, meeting new people and making new friends.

Rose’s family would like to thank the Christopher House and Jewish Healthcare Hospice staffs for their skilled and compassionate care.

There will be a calling hour Saturday, June 8, at 10 a.m. at Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester. The funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. in the church. Burial in Maine will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Healthwell Foundation, P.O. Box 4133, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 www.Healthwellfoundation.org, Jackson Memorial Hospital Transplant Clinic, 1801 NW 9th Ave., Miami, FL 33136, or St. Anne’s Church Thrift Shop, 130 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury, MA 01545.