Homemaker, Seattleite proud of Italian roots

Sandra Dolce Hansen had a lifelong love of all things Italian. For her daughter's birthday every year, she cooked Italian potato dumplings known as gnocchi. For Christmas, she stuffed hundreds of raviolis to feed the entire family. For Easter, her specialty was ricotta pie.

"Food to her was the foundation of everything," said her daughter, Loretta Osborne. "It was her delight."

Mrs. Hansen died in her sleep Tuesday of natural causes, just two days after her 90th birthday.

She spent her birthday with several generations of loved ones, eating cake and ice cream and taking pictures with her grandkids.

Mrs. Hansen was born May 14, 1916, in Seattle. She graduated from Cleveland High School in 1935.

She married her husband of 64 years, Thomas Hansen, in November 1937. Mother and homemaker, she dedicated her time to her children.

Mrs. Hansen's parents were immigrants from Ortona a Mare (the city by the sea), and her love and appreciation of Italian culture never ceased.

She was an active member of the local Italian community, serving as president for three years of the Fidele Lodge, and as a member of Sons of Italy and the Italian Club.

Her enthusiasm for Italian culture influenced everyone around her, Osborne said. "Because of her we are all so proud to be Italian," she said. "I feel like I am 100 percent Italian, but really I'm only half."

Mrs. Hansen was also active in the Children's Hospital Foundation and Guild Association.

Always a giver, she befriended many women in the neighborhood who needed help getting around and would drive them to doctor appointments, Osborne said.

Mrs. Hansen spent the last year of her life in the Lakehills Home in Bellevue. Her caregiver, Adina Rus, said when she was able, Mrs. Hansen would visit other residents and ask them how they were doing. She was always willing to help out, she said.

Rus said Mrs. Hansen had a good sense of humor and would often joke about not wanting water because it would "rust her pipes."

Aside from her daughter, Mrs. Hansen is survived by her two sons, Tom Hansen of Bellevue and Gary Hansen of Tacoma, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2001 and infant son Fredric in 1949.

Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. George Catholic Church, 5306 15th Ave. S., Seattle. Remembrances may be sent to the Children's Hospital Foundation and Guild Association at P.O. Box 50020, Seattle, WA 98145.

Kayla Webley: 206-464-2391 or kwebley@seattletimes.com.