Joelene “Jogie” Gasparovich Hansen, 77, passed away peacefully on Jan. 24, 2021, surrounded by family.
Jogie was born on June 28, 1943, in Aberdeen, Washington, to Joseph and H. Lorraine (Aker) Gasparovich.
In sixth grade, Jogie and her mom moved to Queen Anne Hill in Seattle. She graduated from Queen Anne High School, class of 1961. Mom met and married our dad, Alan Hansen, while working at Boeing in 1964. They moved from Kirkland to the Skagit Valley in 1966, where they raised their children and lived the rest of their lives.
After the birth of her first daughter, Amy, Jogie started a daycare in her home in order to stay home with her daughter. The kids she cared for and their families became lifelong friends.
After the birth of her daughter, Molly, and son, Ken, she went to work at MVHS as the counseling office secretary. She loved working with the students and adored the counselors, Fances, Merle and Dave. In 1988, she made the move to La Conner High School as their secretary. Again, she loved working with students and making many lifelong friends with staff and community members.
Jogie is survived by her three children: Amy (Mark) Jonas, Molly (Lyrch/Keith) Knutsen and Ken (Kerra Irwin) Hansen and her beloved grandchildren: Shelby, Katy, Cameron, Adam and Craig; half-sister Christine (Brian) Gould, brother-in-law Robert (Marlene) Hansen and family; sister-in-law Crys (Keith) Sullivan and family; and beloved cousins Dehlia Aker, Gail Warner and family; Greg Antoncich, Wally (Wendy) Antoncich and family; and Carole (Rob) Haberman and family. She is predeceased by her husband Alan, her mother, H. Lorraine Gasparovich (Baba); father, Joe Gasparovich; father-in-law Harley Hansen and mother-in-law Virginia Hansen.
Our family sends our heartfelt thank you to the amazing, loving, class-act staff at Birchview Memory Care in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. They kept mom happy, safe, engaged and laughing; Dr. Carl Berliner, M.D., for his kindness and caring of both of our parents; and Hospice of the NW for their care, support and guidance. Love to all mom’s family and friends who sent notes, face-timed and visited before COVID. That connection meant the world to her and to us.
Mom will be remembered for her positive outlook, compassion for the underdog, sense of humor, monster cookies and unwavering love of her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the following: McLean Road Fire Dept., 15452 Beaver Marsh Road, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273; Birchview Memory Care Staff Appreciation Fund, 925 Dunlop Ave., Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284; Tony Gasparovich Scholarship Fund, 18526 83rd Ave. W, Edmonds, WA 98026 or the MVHS Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 67, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273.
