Mildred Spak Hanson, 96, of Kirkland, WA, passed away on October 20, 2022 after succumbing to the effects of severe dementia.

Mildred was born on August 29, 1926 to Joseph Spak and Helen Homiak Spak in Merchantville, NJ. She had an older, half-brother, Stephen Kochan. Mildred graduated from Merchantville High School in 1944 where she very much enjoyed being a majorette. After graduation, she worked as a secretary for RCA in Camden, NJ for 10+ years. Mildred met her future husband, Donald Hedin Hanson, after he was discharged from the Navy in April 1946 having served as a pharmacist’s mate on a ship in the South Pacific during WW II. Mildred and Donald were married on August 2, 1947. When Mildred had her first son, Mark, in May 1956 she decided to dedicate her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. Mildred had her second son, Paul, in October 1960. In 1963, Mildred and Donald moved to a house in the Barclay Farms section of Cherry Hill, NJ where they lived until Donald retired from his job as a Sales Engineer for GTE Sylvania. Mildred supported her husband and two children as a dedicated homemaker. She was also a caregiver to her mother Helen Spak who lived with them in Cherry Hill until she passed away in January of 1991. Mildred and Donald enjoyed sailing on the Chesapeake Bay during the 80's and 90's. Their 36 foot sailboat named Talisman, which was berthed in Tolchester, MD, was their refuge from the frustrations and cares of the world. Mildred and Donald were also active socially with a group called the Old Grads which was formed by graduates of the high schools of the neighboring towns of Merchantville, Collingswood and Audubon. Some of their life-long dear friends from the Old Grads included Thelma and Al Neu and Doris and Frank Iarossi. In 1999, Mildred and Donald moved to a house in an adult community in Sewell, NJ. Unfortunately, their time together at this new house was cut short as Donald passed away in February 2003 at the age of 78. They enjoyed more than 55 years of love and life together. Mildred moved to the Kirkland, WA area in 2016 to be close to her sons when she could no longer live independently. She is survived by her son Mark Hanson and Paul Hanson, their spouses Ellen Pizer and Neil Ostroff, respectively. Millie and Don were also proud grandparents to Mark and Ellen's children Benjamin and Audrey. Mildred and Donald's final resting place is at Locustwood Memorial Park, in Cherry Hill, NJ. 

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