Virdie Hansen

Virdie Louise Hansen, a resident of Gulfport since 1970, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 2. She was almost 88 years old.
Born at home in Atlantic City, N.J., to Virdie Louise Carson and Dr. F. Rolfe Westney, she attended school in Philadelphia but spent summers at The Benton, a family-owned hotel near the boardwalk in Atlantic City. In 1948, she graduated from Frankford High School, where she was in Honor Society, Girls Leaders and Bible Club; lettered in academics; and was active in softball, basketball, swimming, bowling, and drama. She received a Bachelor of Science from West Chester State Teacher's College in 1952 and she received a Master in Education from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1978.
Her earliest teaching jobs were in New Mexico, first at Lew Wallace Elementary in Albuquerque, then Pueblo Middle school in Roswell. On the Gulf Coast, she taught math at North Gulfport Middle School, then retired after teaching at Woolmarket Elementary, where she was active in the teachers union.
She was known for her intellectual curiosity, academic and musical accomplishments, and a strong and active interest in community and church. When asked to write a six-word autobiography, she wrote, "Always searching for meaning of life."
She learned the pioneering Fortran computer language in Germany in the 1960s and received a diploma in programming technology from the Control Data Institute in Atlanta. She found challenge and joy in studying Spanish, which, combined with her love of travel, led her to study briefly in Costa Rica.
She was a member of the Heart of Dixie Barbershop Quartet and helped start the Mississippi Gulf Coast branch of Sweet Adelines International, with whom she sang for fun and in competition, first as a lead singer and later as a baritone. She also sang and competed with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Chorale.
She was a member of the Star Twirlers square dance club and Tick Tock Rounders dance group.
She was a sublime pianist, playing with the drama, playfulness, jazz or gospel feel any given piece required. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program honored her as an outstanding volunteer for nine years of weekly visits to the Boyington Health and Rehabilitation Center in Gulfport, where she delighted residents. She sang in church choirs and served as pianist and/or organ player, as a member or visiting substitute, at several Gulf Coast Baptist churches, including Gulf Gardens, Olivet, Cowan Road and Bel Aire. Anyone who has heard her play has been blessed.
Over the years, she taught Vacation Bible School, served as church clerk and was a member of pastor search committees. Most recently, she was in the Rebekah Bible Study group at Bel Aire.
As a lifelong volunteer, she helped Habitat for Humanity create informational booklets and helped clean up after hurricanes. She's tutored readers and coached swimming and bowling (after impressively playing in adult bowling leagues in Albuquerque, Germany and on the Gulf Coast). In Roswell, she was an officer and active member of the service group Beta Sigma Phi.
She took advantage of involvement training through Mississippi State University and regularly contacted her state, local and national representatives to draw attention to causes she held most dear - children, the environment and justice issues.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Wayne Hansen; a son, Gregory Carl Hansen; and a stepson, Ralph "Wayne" Hansen.
She is survived by a daughter, Denise Tessier (David Goldfarb), of San Antonito, N.M.; a son, Rowland Tessier III (Susan), of Albuquerque, N.M.; daughter, Lynn Frees (Mark), of Pell City, Ala.; stepdaughter, Cathy Lee Moad (Rocky) of Carthage, Miss.; stepdaughter, Sally Marie Cranmer (Russ) of Overton, Nev.; 21 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
The family thanks Canon Hospice and Bel Aire Baptist Church for their help and comfort for our mother.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00PM on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Bel Aire Baptist Church, 15080 Dedeaux Rd., Gulfport. A visitation will begin at 1:00 PM until the service time at the church on Thursday, October 4, 2018.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport is serving the family.
Online condolences and pictures can be shared at www.riemannfamily.com