Josephine (Marretta) Hanson's Obituary
Josephine Dorothy Marretta Hanson was born August 15, 1930 and passed away on December 17, 2025 at the age of 95.
Friends called her Jo and family called her Josie. Josie was born in Tacoma to Sicilian parents (George and Maria Marretta). The family moved to Chicago in the early 1930s and much to her disappointment, returned to Tacoma when Josie was 14. Josie attended Gault Middle School and graduated from Lincoln High School.
Josie went to work immediately after graduation for Hunt & Mottet in the Accounts Receivable Department. During this time, she was active at Christ Episcopal Church, Eastern Star, and the USO Club. It was at the USO Club where she met the love of her life – Gary Hanson. After a six- month engagement, they married in June 1955.
Josie stayed at home while her children were small and returned to the work force in 1967. She worked at St. Regis Paper Company in the Credit Department and later at the Bon Marche in the Cash Office.
Josie was a trailblazer. She worked full-time but always found time for her kids’ activities. She was probably one of the first night time Camp Fire leaders. She was a Cub Scout leader, a member of PTA, active in Rainbow and Eastern Star, active in Credit Women’s, and enjoyed her hobby of ceramics. Between work and activities, she still found time to put a roast in the oven or make chicken cacciatore on a Sunday afternoon and watch a Shirley Temple movie with her kids.
Josie loved old movies and shared this love with her children – she met Eddie Mueller at the Seattle Film Noir Festival a few years ago! She loved to talk and talked loud (which has been carried on in the family). She loved to play Pinochle, Canasta and later on in life Hand and Foot.
Although only 4 foot 11 and 110 pounds, she was fierce. She was a wonderful mom and grandma. We all miss her so much already.
Josie was preceded in death by her parents George and Maria and her husband Gary. She is survived by her brother Philip Marretta, her children Gary Hanson (Lisa), Vickie O’Neal (Owen), Sherrie Minnick (Ben), and her grandchildren Jessica Hanson, Hayley Hanson, Matthew Hanson, Jon O’Neal (Hope), Sarah O’Neal, Julianne Minnick, Will Minnick, and great granddaughter Virginia O’Neal.
Please join us to celebrate Josie’s life on January 14 at 3 pm at Mountain View Cemetery
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