Sharen Goodrich Hansford

If you knew Sharen, you probably loved Sharen, so it is with heavy hearts that we tell you that Sharen Goodrich Hansford passed away at home on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. She had been in hospice care for a week and her husband Joe was with her. She died from aplastic anemia, a very rare disease. She maintained her strong spirit and outstanding courage throughout her 1 1/2 years of difficult treatment, and knew when it was time to come home. Sharen was born on February 3, 1942 in Paterson, New Jersey to parents Bill and Victoria Goodrich, now both deceased. She spent her childhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a large extended family. Her Grandmother Goodrich was an especially strong influence on her and helped form Sharen’s strong spiritual life. One of Sharen’s favorite memories was spending summers with family at their cottage at Canadohta Lake, swimming, fishing, and boating. She talked often of going back, and liked to look at pictures of the lake and cottages. From Pittsburgh she went to Penn State University where she got her B.A. degree majoring in Education. While there, she met Joe, her husband to be, when she accidentally flagged down his VW Beetle in an apartment parking lot mistaking him for a friend of hers. That meeting ended up lasting through more than 58 years of marriage! It was definitely meant to be. She was his beloved wife, partner and best friend. Sharen started teaching in New Orleans where Joe’s first job assignment was. It was a challenging job in the time of integrating New Orleans public schools but she was able to touch many students. The couple honeymooned at Destin, Florida with its beautiful beaches and clear Gulf water, and returned each year for vacation even after moving from New Orleans. She always enjoyed being near the water, first Canadohta and the Gulf of Mexico, then later the Pacific Ocean when they lived in California, with frequent trips to Santa Barbara and Monterey. She felt an immense sense of peace in those places that kept drawing her back. After Joe’s job transfer to Lafayette, Louisiana, Sharen devoted herself to the family full time. With their two sons, Ben and Dan, she was active in their schooling, sports activities and scouting. She gave a strong foundation of love and caring to the family that still continues. She also made so many dear friendships there that lasted for the rest of her life. Sharen loved watching nature from her patio with flowers, birds, lizards, squirrels, and especially liked hummingbirds and dragonflies, and enjoyed keeping houseplants and flowers around the house. She had such an appreciation of the small but beautiful things in life and could be content nearly anywhere. Her greatest joy was her family. She was a wonderful wife to Joe and a devoted mother to her sons. Then when her sons had their own families, her grandchildren became precious to her. Later, when it got difficult for her to travel, she looked forward to gathering at holidays and always remembered them with love on birthdays and special occasions. Sharen’s friends were very dear to her, and she had friends from all parts of the country. She had a gift for making each person feel special and for giving them a part of herself. There was nothing she enjoyed more than meeting with a group of friends, and she stayed in touch with many until her last days. Sharen had a strong faith in God. She and Joe belonged to Memorial Drive Christian Church for many years. Each day she spent the morning in meditation and prayer, and ended it with devotional readings with Joe. She put her hope in Jesus and is surely in the loving hands of God now. Sharen is survived by her husband of 58 years, Joe Hansford, son Ben Hansford, his wife Heather and grandchildren Dashiell and Eloise, son Dan Hansford, his wife Heidi and grandchildren Hunter and Kaia, brother Bert Goodrich, his wife Nancy and cousins Holly Hoch and Van Goodrich, brother Bill Goodrich, and brothers-in-law Jim Hansford and wife Karen and Tim Hansford and family. The family wants to thank M.D.Anderson hospital, and Dr. M.Swaminathan and his staff especially, for the excellent support and care during Sharen’s illness. Thanks also to the caregivers with Personal Caregiving Services for their devoted care and to Houston Hospice for special help in Sharen’s last days. Rather than flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the American Red Cross for the life-giving blood Sharen needed so badly during her entire treatment. Family and friends are invited to a visitation and memorial service starting at 1:00pm on Saturday, September 6 at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church in Friendship Court, 12955 Memorial Dr. Houston, TX 77079.

Sharen Goodrich Hansford

February 3, 1942 - August 13, 2025