Biography: Anne Hansen, 68, of Little Rock died Friday, September 5. She was born July 16, 1940, to the late Carrie and Clay Hansen. In addition to her parents, she was pre-deceased by her niece, Allison Anne Wimberly, and brother-in-law Ed Wimberly. She is survived by her son, Douglas Hansen Griffiths, her grandson, Chasen Smith Griffiths, her sister, Reverend Lynn Wimberly Lindsey and husband, Wayne, and her neighbor and special friend, Donna Davis, all of Little Rock. She is also survived by five nieces and nephews: Beth Wimberly Hohfeler and husband Jay; Clay Wimberly; Mary Kate Wimberly; Todd Lindsey and wife, Gwen; and Elaine Lindsey Porter and husband, Robert; and the following great nieces and nephews: Molly, Maggie, and Kate Hohfeler; Tyler and Hannah Lindsey; Joseph and Matthew Porter. A 1958 graduate of Little Rock Central High School, she attended Hendrix College, earned her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Arkansas and a master of arts in teaching and a doctorate in education from the University of Memphis. Dr. Hansen's distinguished career in public education began in Memphis and continued in Little Rock until her retirement in 2002. She taught English at Hall and Parkview High Schools and was an assistant principal at Henderson Middle School and Parkview High School. In 1991, she was selected by the Arkansas Association of Secondary School Principals as the state's Assistant Secondary Principal-of-the-Year and represented Arkansas at the national "Leadership Forum for the 21st Century" in Oak Brook, Illinois, in 1992. Her numerous affiliations included Delta Kappa Gamma, the National Education Association, the Little Rock Classroom Teachers Association and the Little Rock Retired Teachers Association. An active lifelong member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, she was a past president of the Dietz Dialogue Sunday School Class and a member of the Altar Guild, Food Pantry Board, Cancer Friends, and Circle of Hope. For several years she taught the first grade Sunday School class and in recent years served as an usher. She enjoyed reading, traveling, the theatre, going to the movies and having lunch with her friends. As a child, Anne preferred reading over sewing and other activities. Her mother would often say, "The only handiwork my daughter ever did was to turn the pages of a book." An outstanding teacher and administrator, Anne was loved and respected by both friends and colleagues. She taught others how to live and celebrate life with grace, courage, sensitivity, and an unfailing sense of humor. She was very much looking forward to her 50th Central High class reunion in two weeks. The family would like to especially thank Dr. Mariann Harrington and the staff at the Little Rock Hematology/Oncology Clinic; Dr. Pamela Stone and staff at the women's oncology clinic at UAMS; the UAMS Ovarian Cancer Support Group; the nursing staff on the cancer floor at BMC, and the staff at Arkansas Hospice. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, September 8, at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church with the Reverend Victor H. Nixon officiating. A reception will follow in Wesley Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Foundation or to the Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Cancer Friends Support Group, 4823 Woodlawn, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.
Brooke Maxwell