Francie Moore Hansell of Hermiston died on Sept. 13, 2018 in Hermiston at the age of 70.
She was born on May 21, 1948 in Prosser, Wash. to Frances and Lois Moore.
Francie graduated from Prosser High School in 1966. She attended Western Washington College and then transferred to Washington State University where she met Tyler Sherman Hansell, who was her partner until his untimely death in 2008. On June 6, 1970 they married at the Presbyterian Church in Prosser, Wash. Francie and Ty then moved to Hermiston, where Ty worked for his family’s hog farm and ranch, Hansell Brothers.
Francie began teaching in Umatilla and moved to Rocky Heights in Hermiston. She retired in 2011 after teaching for 30 years. Francie found great joy in teaching and in the children and their families, and she cherished the friendships she made with her many colleagues.
While teaching was her calling, Francie’s first love was her family. She was devoted to her parents, sisters (Mary Jane Hovis and Jill Ponti), and to her extended Prosser family. Francie and Ty made their own family that included daughter Erin Hansell-Heideman (husband Deacon) and sons Tyler (“TJ”) Hansell (wife Sally), McKenzie Hansell (wife Emily) and Lucas Hansell. They later added son Ruben Blair to make a full family of seven. Francie and Ty were frequent fixtures on the sidelines and bleachers at countless ball games and FFA events.
Later in life, Francie’s greatest joy came from her nine beloved grandchildren by whom she was called “Nani”: Jacob, Liam, Hunter, Charlotte, Gage, Tyler, Eloise, Anna and Cora.
Francie attended the Faith Presbyterian Church in Hermiston and she had a deep, unwavering faith in God. This faith was a source of her strength while she endured 18 months of treatment for leukemia.
She was gifted with many angelic qualities including beauty, kindness, wisdom, and a soaring soprano voice. Francie always practiced kindness first and had a vast capacity to love. She had many friendships that she carefully fostered. Her family, career, and multitude of friends are the fruits of her angelic nature and life well lived. She was a member of many local social groups for over 30 years, including the International Sisterhood P.E.O., Chapter CV; No Name Book Club; Bridge Club; and Dinner Birthday Group. Her friends will miss her and her thoughtful and joyful participation in these groups.
A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018 at the Faith Presbyterian Church, 1005 S.E. Ninth St., Hermiston.
Donations in Francie Hansell’s honor may be made to Faith Presbyterian Church, Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation, and P.E.O. Chapter CV Foundation Fund.
Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
