Obituary of Marsha Lee Hansen

Marsha Lee Hansen (Boyle) passed away at her home surrounded by family at the Ashby Ponds Retirement Community on Sunday, July 17, 2022.  Marsha was born on September 9, 1937 in Denver, Colorado.  She studied at the University of Colorado where she met her beloved husband, Donald W. Hansen (Wayne).  They were wed on February 28, 1960, and began their wonderful military and married life together.  Marsha and Wayne were stationed at numerous bases in the United States, Japan and Germany and they happily spent 32 years of military service and 63 wonderful years of marriage together. 

Marsha was the ultimate hostess and was lovingly referred to as the “Army Camp Follower.”  She participated and led many positions of leadership for the Army and the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps. They included:

Treasurer, Base Nursery, Fort Jackson, S.C. 

Director, Teen Club, US Army, Japan

Treasurer and President, Base Nursery, VII Corps, Germany

President, Officer’s Wives Clubs, 3rd Armored Division, Germany and Fort Dix, N.J.

President, JAG Wives Club of Washington, D.C.

Director and Producer, 1979 War College Class Play: “Ease on Down the Road”

Marsha loved to travel and she visited many places during her lifetime that included Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, the Soviet Union, the Baltic States, and other countries. She never met a trip she didn’t like and she was a true world traveler.

Marsha was passionate about gardening (especially sunflowers) and she loved to go antiquing, always looking for those special treasures.  She also enjoyed playing Bridge for over 20 years with her dearest friends from the 1979 War College Class.

Marsha’s loss is mourned by her husband, Wayne (Retired Bridger General, US Army); daughters Diane and Lynn (and husband Mark) and grandchildren Taylor and Michael.

She will be fondly remembered as a loving Army wife, amazing mother and grandmother, and as an “Army Camp Follower.”

Marsha will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) at 2:00 pm on October 6, 2022.  Attendees will need to provide photo identification if over 16 years of age and should arrive at the ANC Administrative Building by no later than 1:15 pm.

A Celebration of Life for Marsha will be held at 2:00 pm on November 2, 2022 in the Farmwell Hall at the Ashby Ponds Retirement Community located at 44734 Audubon Square, Ashburn VA 20147.  Please arrive early, visitor parking is very limited. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Marsha’s name should be made to the Friends of the National Arboretum in recognition of her lifelong interest in gardening. https://www.fona.org/