On July 26, 2015 Lillian Corinne Hanna passed away at the age of 102 in Carthage, IL at the end of a full life. She was born in Cincinnati, OH on July 20, 1903 to Elmer A. and Cora K. May and was the second of four children. She attended Madison College where she received a BA in dietetics. Early in her working life she took a job in Northeast Ohio at Salem City Hospital.
It was there that she met and married Albert Hanna, her husband of 53 years, with whom she had four children. After twenty years in Salem, Albert’s work in health administration took them to Troy, OH where they lived over twenty years before returning to Salem and the small farm that had been home for them and their children. Lillian remained at this family home until her 96th year, overseeing the care of both the property and the herd of beef cattle that had been Albert’s hobby. At that time she moved to Hickory Grove, an assisted living facility in Carthage.
When the last of her children was in high school in Troy Lillian took a position with Children’s Services in Miami County, OH where she spent nineteen years placing children in foster and adoptive homes. Some of those children maintained connections with her throughout her life. During her life she was active in the churches where she lived and volunteered with various community groups.
Lillian was preceded in death by her husband Albert Hanna, a sister Virginia May, and a brother Winston May. She is survived by a brother Howard May of Chandler, AZ and his wife Serena, four children and their spouses, John and Sara Hanna, Louisa and Tom Kniivila, Ada and Charles Bair, Philip and Kathy Hanna, 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Lillian made an important difference in the lives of all those she met. Her own children and their families knew her as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Many other children knew her as the caring lady from Miami County Children’s Services who helped them find a loving home when that is what they needed most. Friends, neighbors, and co-workers knew her as a compassionate person who would do whatever she could to help in time of need. She will be missed by all those whose lives she touched.
Burial will be at the Highland Christian Church cemetery in Salem, OH following a private family service. A memorial celebration for friends and family will be held on a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts will be welcomed by either The First Christian Church, 1151 E. Sixth St., Salem, OH 44460 or Memorial Hospital Foundation/Hickory Grove, Box 160, Carthage, IL 62321.
