Kathleen Hansen

Hansen, Kathleen Witek

Greece: Beloved mother, grandmother and friend to all.

She died Monday evening after a brief illness. She didn't look it and didn't act it, but she was 89.

Kathy grew up in Buffalo in the Depression, one of eight children of Ukrainian immigrants. She graduated from Depew High School, found the love of her life, husband Lou, and moved to Rochester. Kathy worked several years as a receptionist for the Greece Police Department, finally retiring at 70.

She led Girl Scout troops in Greece, taught Sunday school at Church of the Ascension in Rochester and led the women's group at the parish.

She loved to spend time with her family. She cared for her ill husband at home for a dozen years before he died in 2009. They travelled the oceans and flew to family across the country.

Kathy cheered at baseball, volleyball, softball and football games for Greece Athena and Cal-Mum. Caledonia knew her simply as "Grandma" - selling pumpkins at her daughter's farm stand or rooting for her grandchildren.

She found friends everywhere, in any place she thought a smile was needed. She wrote notes to the sick and well, kept friends for life, and shared her kindness to many.

She leaves behind three children - Karen Hansen Coyle of Caledonia, Christine Hansen of Wilmington, Del. and Louis Hansen of Palo Alto, Calif. Mom never stopped bragging about us, even when we stumbled and fell. She also doted on her four grandchildren, Dylan and Andrea Coyle and Ted and Emily Ganter.

Miss your hugs, laughter and occasional lectures. Your kindness survives in friends and neighbors and strangers. You made us all better. We love you, we miss you.

Friends may call Wednesday (TODAY) 4-8pm at the funeral home, 777 Long Pond Road (between English & Latta). Funeral service Thursday 2pm Trinity Episcopal Church 3450 West Ridge Road. Internment 11am Friday Elm Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, NY.