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Lillian Ruth (Woolley) Hanson

Posted 2018-05-13 by Judy Wight Branson
The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona
Sunday, May 13, 2018, page 10a

Lillian Ruth Hanson (Woolley) passed away peacefully May 3, 2018,
with her niece, Deborah and her nephew-in-law, James Miller, by her
side. She was 91 years young. Lillian was born July 4, 1926, to
Benjamin and Laura Woolley in Lake Ozark, Missouri. She was born in
a cabin that was later submerged under the manmade Lake of the
Ozarks.

Lillian was the youngest of seven children and preceded in death by
her mother, father and all of her siblings. She was also preceded in
death by her late-husband, Harold Hanson.

Lillian had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed experiencing new and
different things. She worked as a waitress, cook, motel proprietor
and many other varied jobs. She grew up in Missouri and later moved
to Colorado to be near the mountains, eventually settling in Central
Arizona. Lillian loved the outdoors and nature in general. She had a
special love for flowers. She was an avid walker, walking 4 to 9
miles a day until she was almost 90. Eventually health issues forced
her to cut back, which was very difficult for her to accept. She was
also an avid hiker, hiking up many mountains in Colorado, Arizona,
and Alaska, as well as anywhere she found a friendly looking trail.

There were a few years in her life when she lived at Bar Lazy S
Flying Pinto Ranch. It was there that she learned to train Painted
ponies (AKA Pinto ponies) to do tricks by Ace Brannaman. Together
they went to schools, senior centers and other institutions to put
on performances for all to enjoy. Their performances brought joy and
smiles to all who saw them.

Ace also taught Lillian how to tool leather and together they made
many items that they tooled and dyed, including saddles, horse tack
and many smaller household items.

Lillian was talented in many areas. For years she performed assorted
volunteer work throughout Prescott Valley. She was recognized many
times for her outstanding community outreach and volunteerism. This
is attested to by numerous articles written about her free giving
spirit and sense of community that she held so dear. Lillian gave
much to the Prescott Valley community at large and will be greatly
missed by those she touched with her unselfish giving as well as by
her loving family and friends.

Lillian is survived by her daughter, Dee Whithead; niece, Lois Dean
Hulsey; niece, Marleen Anconetani (Woolley); and her children,
Matthew and Leah. She is also survived by her niece, Deborah Miller
(Woolley), husband, James and their children, Zachary, Ashley Miller
and Krista Mendiola (Miller) and husband Roque and their four
children. In addition, she is survived by other nieces and nephews.

No services are planned.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Central Arizona
Fire and Medical Authority, either in person or mailed to: 8603 E.
Eastridge Dr., Prescott Valley, AZ 86314, in memory of Lillian.

Information provided by survivors.




Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.

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