Jessie Clarissa Hanson of McCleary passed away Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, at the Beehive Retirement Center. She was 96. Jessie was born on Aug. 7, 1920, to Archibald and Elsie (James) Menzies in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

After graduating high school in 1938, Jessie moved to Calgary, Alberta, and then on to Vancouver, B.C., where she attended business school. While there she worked for Western Wholesaler Drugs and Cunningham Drug for eight years. She also met Leonard Alexander Hanson. They wed on April 14, 1951.

Shortly after marrying, Jessie and Leonard moved to Elma, Wash., where they raised their three sons. Jessie then went to work for Timberland Telephone Company for seven years before retiring. She stayed at the family home in the Hunters Prairie area of Elma until 2011, when she moved into the Beehive Retirement Center.

Jessie was an avid baker. She was well known for yummy cookies and her birthday cakes stuffed with wax paper wrapped coins to surprise all the kids. She loved to sew, do crafts and was a member of the local Thimble and Garden Club. She was also a monthly Card Club member for many years. She stayed active by walking back and forth, up and down the road every day until age 88.

Jessie is survived by her sons Robert (Jeannie) Hanson and Theodore (Jami) Hanson of Elma, Wash.; sisters Beverly Creighton and Ruby Wagar of British Columbia, Canada; daughter-in-law Mary Hanson; seven grandchildren Tracie, Pattie, Barry, Erik, Aaron, Rachelle and Carlee; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard Hanson; son Charles Hanson; brothers Ralph and Archibald Menzies; and sisters Margaret Cronk, Jean West and Joyce Romine.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, at the McCleary Community Center.

To express condolences or share memories visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com Harrison Family Mortuary of Montesano is honored to assist the family.