Vivian H. Hansen

Vivian H. Hansen, 66, of Albany, died November 28 in her beloved home after an 8 month battle with brain cancer. Vivian was born February 6, 1950 in St. Albans, NY, daughter of the late Alice E. Benson and Archibald J. Hansen. Vivian is pre-deceased by her dearest friend, her sister Alice E. Romano, with whom the bonds of sisterhood never weakened in the long years since her untimely death. Her family takes solace in the hope that Vivian is again reunited with her sister, mother and father, whom Vivian missed so deeply. Vivian found her calling as a teacher and taught art to elementary school children in the Albany City School district for 35 years. Vivian loved working with children and was dedicated to her role as an educator, a colleague to her many friends, and an advocate for the value that teachers and public education provide to local communities. Throughout her career Vivian made many close friends that became the bedrock of her life in Albany, and she was ever grateful for those friendships. Vivian continued teaching following her retirement in 2006 through her docent position at the Albany Institute of History & Art. Vivian is survived by her children, Livea (Carl) Byrne, and Alexander (Adrienne) Reich, and her pride and light, her four grandchildren: Evan, Gavin, Claudia & Devin; all of whom will miss their Grandma's love, incredible birthday cakes, neverending gifts, art projects and unwavering devotion. Vivian will be deeply missed by her son-in-law Carl and her daughter-in-law Adrienne, whom she loved as her own. Vivian is also survived by her nephews Thomas (Jennifer) Gukelberger and Todd (Kristine) Gukelberger, and their daughters Sofia, Anja, Gwyneth, Freya & Inga; surrogate granddaughters she was determined would know her sister's love through her. Vivian spent her childhood years in West Babylon, NY with her close-knit extended family of cousins and is survived by Carol MacKenzie, Selma Flannery, Cathy Cathey, Georgene DeLuca and Janice Davison. Vivian is also survived by her partner of seven years, Vincent Ferraro, with whom she enjoyed many adventures around the world. Vivian and Vince shared secret pet names, Friday dinners at Tool's and many plans and dreams. Vince was unflagging in his devotion to Vivian throughout their relationship, and never more so than during her illness. Vince was also unfailingly generous to Vivian's grandchildren and even enjoys being their Mr. Potato Head. Vivian's children will forever be indebted to Vince for his deep love for their Mom, and to his children Jill (Allen) Smith and Michael (Amber) Ferraro for their support. Vivian found great joy in the many bounties of nature, and found peace in tending her personal canvas, her flower garden. She was devoted to caring for all of the wild animals in her yard, and dutifully fed the birds, chipmunks and even squirrels daily. She visited Minerva Lake in the Adirondacks yearly since her childhood, and loved hearing the morning call of the loon, feeding the hummingbirds, and watching the sun go down over the water. She will be laid to rest next to her sister in a nearby cemetery. A celebration of Vivian's life will be held at Applebee Funeral Home in Delmar on Saturday, December 3rd at 10AM. Visiting hours will take place on Friday, December 2nd from 4-7PM. In lieu of flowers, Vivian's family asks remembrances be made to Defeat GBM Research Collaborative (defeatgbm.org), in the hopes that progress can be made to treat this horrific illness that has taken so much from our family. To leave condolences and for directions, please visit applebeefuneralhome.com.