Obituary for Joanne (Jody) Hobensack Hansell
Joanne (Jody) Hobensack Hansell, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, cousin, aunt, friend, nurse, volunteer, acquaintance of many, compassionate advocate for all, Republican and Democrat, and model of a frank sometimes sharp-tongued honesty, a true Doylestonian, passed away Thursday, May 11. She left with the peaceful comfort provided by the presence of her eldest grandchild, holding her hand, as he gently reminded her he was there, reassuring her it was ok to go. And so, she did.
Jody is survived by her five children: Karen Hansell, Meredith Smith, Tom Hansell, Carol Beaton (husband Bruce Beaton), and Chalkley Hansell (partner Frank Deninis); eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Jody loved all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She lived for news of their lives and accomplishments and cherished their visits. They understood and knew her directness and her values, knew she loved them dearly, and loved her in return - as she was - a strong woman with unique tastes and style, an unquenchable zest for life, and the ability to look life squarely in the eye.
Jody was born to Helen and Harry Hobensack on April 9, 1930, the younger sister of Doris Jane Miller. One of her closest companions in life was her dear cousin Margaret Hobensack Ruddle, who now resides in North Carolina. Margie was more a sister than a cousin. They took care of each other their entire lives. When they got together, even in the last decade, they would sing the Camp Chesapeake song they learned at summer camp more than eighty years ago. Margie sang their shared song in honor of Jody the day she learned she was gone. Jody grew up in a house on Court Street a few steps away from Doylestown High School and across the street from the Presbyterian Church.
Jody was a Fanny Chapman swimming champion and co-captain of her high school field hockey team. She graduated from Doylestown High School in 1948. In 1952 Jody graduated from the Abington Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She married Robert (Bobby) Hansell, another Doylestown High School graduate and later, Postmaster of Doylestown. Jody and Bobby shared an unbreakable bond of friendship with Carol and Jack Connard, and Gerry and Bill Happ their entire adult lives. Jody’s last residence was at Mercer Hill, two doors down from Carol and a short walk down the hall from Gerry.
For 36 years Jody worked at Doylestown Hospital and then another 5 years for Dr. Daniel Coletta. For many years she was an active member of the Junior Women’s Club and the VIA (Village Improvement Association). Her children remember with pleasure the Village Fair and are glad to know that after an extended absence, it will return this year. Whether or not she was officially in charge of the Fair – to her children, she seemed to be. She was always willing to take charge if that was needed. This seemed to be her modus operandi in innumerable pursuits. Her children are probably not alone in this perception. Jody was a Girl Scout Leader, meeting in the James Lorah House. Over time she was the co-Chair of the 1st Bucks County Designer House, participated in the Doylestown Nature Club, the Bucks County Genealogical Society, and volunteered at the Mercer Museum, Michener Art Museum, Bucks County Historical Society, and the County Theater. For many years she was the nurse at Camp Tohikanee. Jody was civic-minded and active in politics. She would not hesitate to speak her mind, especially when she thought people were being treated unfairly. She served as the 2nd Ward Republican Committeewoman. In 1968 she ran for Mayor of Doylestown as a Republican. She thought the Doylestown Democratic establishment was not doing the job properly after more than half a century of control, and that she could facilitate change. The Republican presidential candidate, Richard Nixon, won; Jody lost. As a lifelong learner, Jody participated in DelVal’s Center for Learning in Retirement (CLR) and until recently was active in Questers. She volunteered for so many other community organizations, surely some have been forgotten.
Jody had an eye for colorful creativity and expressed herself through quilting, sewing, and many hands-on projects. Many people are in possession of her colorful works of art. Many more will yearn for her infamous pound cake. She assembled an amazingly varied collection of antiques and proudly displayed them in her eclectic kitchen. She also loved to fill the walls of her home with paintings, especially of local buildings and landscapes. Over the years she treasured her friendship with Earl Handy, a friend since childhood and a fabulous Bucks County artist. His works were an integral part of her collection.
For 60 years Jody lived on North Clinton St. Her neighbors became ‘family’. The annual 4th of July Clinton Street brunch celebration will be a bit quieter this year without her noticeable laugh. Over many decades, she held close to her heart relationships with the “out to lunch a bunch” group of nurse friends and her favorite hairdressers. In recent years Jody and her lifetime friend, Dick Blythe, spent much of their time at his beautiful home on Sauerman Road, enjoying each other’s company and various pursuits including amphibious golf cart trekking.
A month ago Jody celebrated her 93rd birthday with three events: an afternoon party with friends and family at Warwick Farm Brewing, a special dinner with more family at NaBrasa Brazilian Steakhouse on Easter Sunday, and a luncheon with her nurse friends at the Black Bass Hotel. For her, there was gusto and joie de vivre to the end.
Should Jody’s life be an inspiration for you, you’re encouraged to get involved, listen to and act upon your creative urges, and most important - learn something new each day, about the world - or even better - about yourself. In the last weeks of her life Jody described herself as always having music in her, humming and tapping her foot. Jody would hope you have music in you as well.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Jody’s life in a Quaker Memorial Meeting for Worship at 1 pm on June 16th at Horsham Friends Meeting, 500 Easton Road, Horsham, PA, located at the intersection of 611 & Meetinghouse Road. The service will focus on quiet reflection and giving thanks, sharing special memories, sharing love - for Jody and each other, and providing comfort to those who mourn.
In response to her request for a party, a small celebration will follow at Angelo’s Italian Kitchen, 1144 Horsham Road, Ambler, PA, http://www.angelositaliankitchen.com/
Send condolences to www.varcoethomasfuneralhome.com
Jody is survived by her five children: Karen Hansell, Meredith Smith, Tom Hansell, Carol Beaton (husband Bruce Beaton), and Chalkley Hansell (partner Frank Deninis); eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Jody loved all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She lived for news of their lives and accomplishments and cherished their visits. They understood and knew her directness and her values, knew she loved them dearly, and loved her in return - as she was - a strong woman with unique tastes and style, an unquenchable zest for life, and the ability to look life squarely in the eye.
Jody was born to Helen and Harry Hobensack on April 9, 1930, the younger sister of Doris Jane Miller. One of her closest companions in life was her dear cousin Margaret Hobensack Ruddle, who now resides in North Carolina. Margie was more a sister than a cousin. They took care of each other their entire lives. When they got together, even in the last decade, they would sing the Camp Chesapeake song they learned at summer camp more than eighty years ago. Margie sang their shared song in honor of Jody the day she learned she was gone. Jody grew up in a house on Court Street a few steps away from Doylestown High School and across the street from the Presbyterian Church.
Jody was a Fanny Chapman swimming champion and co-captain of her high school field hockey team. She graduated from Doylestown High School in 1948. In 1952 Jody graduated from the Abington Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She married Robert (Bobby) Hansell, another Doylestown High School graduate and later, Postmaster of Doylestown. Jody and Bobby shared an unbreakable bond of friendship with Carol and Jack Connard, and Gerry and Bill Happ their entire adult lives. Jody’s last residence was at Mercer Hill, two doors down from Carol and a short walk down the hall from Gerry.
For 36 years Jody worked at Doylestown Hospital and then another 5 years for Dr. Daniel Coletta. For many years she was an active member of the Junior Women’s Club and the VIA (Village Improvement Association). Her children remember with pleasure the Village Fair and are glad to know that after an extended absence, it will return this year. Whether or not she was officially in charge of the Fair – to her children, she seemed to be. She was always willing to take charge if that was needed. This seemed to be her modus operandi in innumerable pursuits. Her children are probably not alone in this perception. Jody was a Girl Scout Leader, meeting in the James Lorah House. Over time she was the co-Chair of the 1st Bucks County Designer House, participated in the Doylestown Nature Club, the Bucks County Genealogical Society, and volunteered at the Mercer Museum, Michener Art Museum, Bucks County Historical Society, and the County Theater. For many years she was the nurse at Camp Tohikanee. Jody was civic-minded and active in politics. She would not hesitate to speak her mind, especially when she thought people were being treated unfairly. She served as the 2nd Ward Republican Committeewoman. In 1968 she ran for Mayor of Doylestown as a Republican. She thought the Doylestown Democratic establishment was not doing the job properly after more than half a century of control, and that she could facilitate change. The Republican presidential candidate, Richard Nixon, won; Jody lost. As a lifelong learner, Jody participated in DelVal’s Center for Learning in Retirement (CLR) and until recently was active in Questers. She volunteered for so many other community organizations, surely some have been forgotten.
Jody had an eye for colorful creativity and expressed herself through quilting, sewing, and many hands-on projects. Many people are in possession of her colorful works of art. Many more will yearn for her infamous pound cake. She assembled an amazingly varied collection of antiques and proudly displayed them in her eclectic kitchen. She also loved to fill the walls of her home with paintings, especially of local buildings and landscapes. Over the years she treasured her friendship with Earl Handy, a friend since childhood and a fabulous Bucks County artist. His works were an integral part of her collection.
For 60 years Jody lived on North Clinton St. Her neighbors became ‘family’. The annual 4th of July Clinton Street brunch celebration will be a bit quieter this year without her noticeable laugh. Over many decades, she held close to her heart relationships with the “out to lunch a bunch” group of nurse friends and her favorite hairdressers. In recent years Jody and her lifetime friend, Dick Blythe, spent much of their time at his beautiful home on Sauerman Road, enjoying each other’s company and various pursuits including amphibious golf cart trekking.
A month ago Jody celebrated her 93rd birthday with three events: an afternoon party with friends and family at Warwick Farm Brewing, a special dinner with more family at NaBrasa Brazilian Steakhouse on Easter Sunday, and a luncheon with her nurse friends at the Black Bass Hotel. For her, there was gusto and joie de vivre to the end.
Should Jody’s life be an inspiration for you, you’re encouraged to get involved, listen to and act upon your creative urges, and most important - learn something new each day, about the world - or even better - about yourself. In the last weeks of her life Jody described herself as always having music in her, humming and tapping her foot. Jody would hope you have music in you as well.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Jody’s life in a Quaker Memorial Meeting for Worship at 1 pm on June 16th at Horsham Friends Meeting, 500 Easton Road, Horsham, PA, located at the intersection of 611 & Meetinghouse Road. The service will focus on quiet reflection and giving thanks, sharing special memories, sharing love - for Jody and each other, and providing comfort to those who mourn.
In response to her request for a party, a small celebration will follow at Angelo’s Italian Kitchen, 1144 Horsham Road, Ambler, PA, http://www.angelositaliankitchen.com/
Send condolences to www.varcoethomasfuneralhome.com