Nancy Hansford

Nancy Jane Hansford left this world peacefully on June 15th, 2021.  Born to David (Miles) and Grace Colby in Brooklyn, New York on February 14,1933, Nancy was always thought of as our family’s Valentine.  She graduated from East High School and Research School of Nursing.  She devoted her life to her family and took great pride in her profession as a nurse.

Nancy met the love of her life, John Richard Hansford.  They wed in 1955 and spent the next 63 years together until his death in 2019.  They enjoyed a distinguished career while John served in the United States Marine Corps.  While stationed in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Louisiana, Missouri, Hawaii and Illinois, she raised her three grateful children Liane Garner (John), Karen Fitzpatrick (Larry) and John Hansford Jr (Jeani) while working part time in nursing.  When their tours were over they settled in Kansas City and Nancy returned to school to complete her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.  Over her 50 year career as a nurse, Nancy held a wide variety of positions and was never afraid to take on a new opportunity.  She loved the challenges of the health care profession.  Early in her career, she worked as a physician assistant to Dr. Perry, helping with everything from setting broken bones to delivering babies.  She soon became a nursing supervisor at Research Medical Center, organizing teams to care for trauma patients.  She went on to serve as the Associate Director of Nursing at Trinity Lutheran and Olathe Medical Center and then Director of Nursing of Lakeside Hospital, Carondelet Manor and Plaza Manor.  Nancy fell in love with teaching nursing students, serving on the academic faculty at Graceland University, Avila University and Sanford Brown College where there were student wait lists to get into her classes.  She also worked for the Department of Aging (Missouri) as a nurse surveyor where she advocated endlessly for the elderly and disabled residents.

Nancy was blessed to have many life long friends who loved her and whom she loved. The “East High”gals met regularly for luncheons together well into their 80’s.  She had a wonderful smile that would light up the room.  Nancy loved entertaining her friends and family and would often extend invitations for holiday meals to those who were not able to be with their own family.  Literally the “life of the party” she enjoyed being a gracious hostess making sure every detail of her guests comfort was attended to.  You could show up at her house anytime day or night and she would lay out a spread of food.  You never left hungry.

She was a faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, singing in the choir, supporting the church, doing blood pressure checks and giving out “Nurse Nancy“ advice to parishioners. She and John regularly served as greeters, welcoming members and guests on Sunday mornings.

She served as President of the Officer’s Wives Club and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Military Officers Association of America and was a member of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society.

Nancy and John loved traveling and exploring the world.  They were avid cruisers, supporters of all types of theater, and loved making memories with their family.  They provided many wonderful family trips and delighted their grandchildren with fabulous Christmases, birthday parties and Easter eggs hunts.  She had a beautiful voice and played piano with such grace (she loved a good sing along).

She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her grandson, Gentry.  She leaves behind her children, her sister, Georgiana Fensom (Bill), 11 grandchildren,  8 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved very dearly.

The family request contributions to St. Luke's Hospice House.