Barbara Kampe Hanson passed away on May 30, 2023. Under strict orders, her children are not allowed to reveal her age but it was somewhere in the early 30’s. Barbara was born in Joliet, IL but lived in Clearwater for more than 35 years. She was predeceased by her parents Henry Kampe and Mildred Schuler of Illinois. She is survived by her sister Selma (Joey) Blackmon of Atlanta, two children, Britta (Lars) Soderqvist, and granddaughter (Milla) of Ft. Myers and Keith (Katie) Hanson of Pinellas Park.

After graduating from high school, Barbara became a court reporter like her father, taking the L train to her job in downtown Chicago. Later, she moved to Wisconsin and owned a small-town grocery store before finally settling in Clearwater in 1985. For several years she worked in the banking industry until a car accident caused her to pursue jobs that didn't require working eight hours at a desk. Luckily for us, this included a new found love for art. She began drawing and painting with a focus on horses and Florida beach scenes. When she wasn't creating, she was volunteering for nonprofits, spending time with friends, or walking on her roof with the leaf blower to clear oak leaves, much to the horror of her children and neighbors. She dreamed of one day traveling the country in a customized camper van, something she was Googling until a few days before her death.

A memorial service will be held on June 24th, 2023 at 2 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Humane Society of North Pinellas, where she adopted many of her beloved pets. Her constant feline companions, Charlie and Lily, are now living with her son, who loves them like his own. 

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