[Nfbf-l] Judie Hansen In Orlando Sentinel

[Sherri]

Thanks so much Jody. I really appreciate this!!!

Sherri


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jody W. Ianuzzi" <jody at thewhitehats.com>
To: "'NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List'" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2011 11:03 AM
Subject: [Nfbf-l] Judie Hansen In Orlando Sentinel


> Here is the article about Judy Hansen from the Orlando Sentinel:
>
>
> Judith Margaret Hansen: Musician also was advocate for the blind
>
>
>
>
> While strangers may have viewed Judith Margaret Hansen's blindness as a
> disability, her family knew better.
>
> Hansen received a bachelor's degree in music and a master's in French,
> achievements that challenged her to live on her own. She led a state
> organization for the blind and for years played the piano in a band that 
> she
> and her husband started.
>
>
>
> Hansen, of Orlando, died Sept. 7 after a four-month battle with pancreatic
> cancer
> <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/health/diseases-illnesses/cancer-HEDAI
> 0000010.topic> . She was 66.
>
> Her only child, Erik Hansen, described his mother's life in one word:
> remarkable.
>
> "She would read me children's books that were in Braille, she cooked all 
> the
> time, played and taught piano and was very instrumental in her community,"
> Hansen's son said. "I got your typical life - as if I had a mom that could
> see."
>
> Hansen was born blind in Braintree, Mass., in 1944. While her parents
> acknowledged her blindness, they never labeled her disabled.
>
> "She was taught by her mother at a very young age, and her mother would 
> not
> baby her and not just let her get away with anything," Hansen said. "She 
> may
> have burned herself a little more often than others [while cooking], but 
> she
> would learn and memorize."
>
> That tough love went a long way. In 1962, Hansen went to Boston University
> and lived by herself on the fourth floor of a downtown apartment building.
> She graduated with a master's degree in 1967.
>
> Hansen moved to Pensacola in 1970 to be closer to her parents, who had
> relocated there.
>
>
>
> It was in Pensacola that she met fellow musician Michael Hansen. They
> married in 1979, and with two friends they formed a band called the Blue
> Diamonds. Michael played the saxophone, flute and clarinet while Judith
> worked the keyboards. Jazz was their forte, but they offered a mix of 
> music
> to capture any audience.
>
> Erik said his parents had a following and played at the same locations for
> 15 years. "On Saturday it was in Foley, Ala., and on Thursdays it was at
> Bayview Community Center in Pensacola."
>
> Hansen was known as a vibrant, compassionate woman whose ambitions went
> beyond music. From 1977 to 1985, she served as president of the Florida
> chapter of the National Federation of the Blind. In that role, she became 
> an
> advocate for allowing service animals in public places. Later, she worked
> for Independence for the Blind of West Florida, helping others to live
> independently.
>
> "Judie had a lot of compassion for the people she worked for," said John
> O'Dillion, the agency's director of vocational rehabilitation. "Her 
> lessons
> certainly came with tenderness and understanding. She was a very gentle
> individual."
>
>
>
> After her husband died in 2003, Hansen moved to Orlando to be closer to 
> her
> son, and she became a volunteer organist for First United Methodist Church
> of Orlando.
>
> "She had a positive outlook on everything and had a wonderful sense of 
> humor
> in everything," said Candi Whitney, the church's congregational-care
> associate.
>
> Hansen's guide dog of seven years, Orbit, was at her side when she died,
> Whitney said. Orbit now lives with Hansen's son.
>
> Hansen also is survived by her brother, Richard K. Welch of Boston.
> Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, Pensacola, handled arrangements.
>
>
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