Title	Mrs.
Last Name	Hanson
First Name	Brenda
Middle Name	J
Maiden Name	Arnold
Nick Name
Place of Birth	Dexter, ME
Date of Birth	1946-07-15
Place of Death	Ripley, ME
Date of Death	2024-12-30
Publication	BDN 2025-01-25
Obituary	Ripley - Brenda J. Hanson, 78, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2024, with her children by her side. She was born on July 15, 1946, in Dexter, the daughter of Errold and Joyce (Downing) Arnold. She was raised in Dexter, graduating from Dexter High School, class of 1967. She then earned her Maine cosmetology license and worked as a hair stylist in Portland. When she returned to Dexter to raise her family, she worked in the Dexter School Department before her many years at the Dexter Shoe office where she retired. Brenda and Gary Hanson married in 1983 and raised their four children in the house they built in Ripley. They enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, and exploring Maine. They were active in their community, Ripley Trail Riders snowmobile club, and members of the Cornerstone Baptist Church. Brenda especially enjoyed being part of the Cornerstone church community, assisting with vacation bible school every summer, attending Sunday school with her husband, and helping with the kids programs and church luncheons. In her free time Brenda loved gardening, watching for hummingbirds, shopping, and spending time with her friends and family. Brenda was predeceased by her parents; and her beloved husband, Gary. She is survived by her two sisters, Linda and Douglas Cote of Dexter, and Lorilee and Robert "Jay" Locke of Hanson, MA; four children, Michael Breen of Athol, MA, Joni Boissonneault and partner, Robert Duplisea, of Monmouth, ME, Jon and wife, Jen Hanson, of Palmyra, ME, and Stacey and husband, Kevin MacDonald, of Glastonbury, CT; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews, and their children as well. She leaves behind many special friends and neighbors whom she loved and helped her through the years. Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, January 4, at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 1195 Stetson Rd., Exeter, with the Rev. Stan Griffin officiating. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the funeral. The burial will take place in the spring in the family plot at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Dexter. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cornerstone Baptist Church. Arrangements are in the care of Crosby and Neal Funeral Home, 117 Main St., Newport, where condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at crosbyneal.com. To send flowers to the family of Brenda J. Hanson, please visit Tribute Store. Published on January 2, 2025