Jean M. Hansen

Jean Marie Hansen, aged 87, of Northville, passed away on February 4, 2025.  Born March 8th, 1937 in Detroit, Michigan to Harvey Francis and Ida Marie (née Hay) Chapman, Jean graduated from Redford High School in 1955 and went on to the University of Michigan where she graduated with a BA and an MA in history in 1960.

Upon graduation, Jean set out with some sorority sisters to California where she taught social studies and lived in the Bay Area from 1961 – 1966. In 1966 Jean’s wanderlust took her to Germany where she worked as a teacher for the Department of Defense from 1966-1967. An avid skier, Jean spent as many weekends and holidays as she could on the ski slopes in the company of her teaching colleagues and her beloved red VW bug.

Deciding she had best return to ‘real life,’ Jean moved back to Michigan, VW bug in tow, in 1967 and took up a job teaching social studies in Livonia. It was here she met Donald E. Hansen, her husband of 50 years. Married on August 28, 1968, Jean was required to stop teaching in 1969 when she was expecting her first child, Jennifer (b. 1970), as during that era women were told to quit or be fired once their pregnancies were visible. Jean used her forced maternity leave to complete work on one of the two textbooks she wrote on California government. One of her textbooks was adopted by the California state school system for the 8th grade curriculum.

John (b. 1971) soon followed Jennifer, and Jean and her family moved to Northville in 1979. Jean channeled her organizational skills and background in teaching into 16 years of service on the Northville Board of Education where she held various roles, including president. Following her tenure with the school board, Jean served on the board of the Northville District Library for a further 20 years. Jean was formally recognized for her contributions to Northville in 1991 when she was named the Citizen of the Year. In amongst her civic activities, Jean found the time to acquire teaching credential in mathematics and worked as an instructor in math and computers for the Skills Enhancement Program at the Ford Livonia Transmission Plant (1990 – 2002).

Jean was active in AAUW, a lifetime member of the Northville Woman’s Club, and a member of several local book clubs. Her artistic interest included basket-making, weaving, needle craft, macramé, and stone polishing.

Jean is survived by her children, Jennifer (Cameron) Carmody and John (Catherine) Hansen; her sister Margaret Nutter, and her grandchildren, Annaka, Owen, Calvin, Nathaniel, and Spencer. Also loved by many nieces and nephews. Jean was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

Memorial visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 12 from noon until 4 pm, at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 W. Dunlap St, Northville. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, February 12 from 5 pm until 7 pm at Genitti’s Restaurant, 108 Main St, Northville. Jean will be laid to rest at Rural Hill Cemetery in Northville.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Northville District Library, 212 W. Cady St., Northville, MI 48167 or the ACLU of Michigan, 2966 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201