Mildred Hanna passed away on January 17th, 2010, at her home at the age of 96. Born in Gilroy, the daughter of Ruth and Roy Swarner, Mildred attended schools in Soledad, Gilroy and at San Jose State. She is survived by her loving husband Sandoe, and two of her sons, Roy of Gilroy and Tom of Juneau, AK (married to Kathy). Two of her children preceeded her in death: Sandra in 2005 and Bill in 2009.
She always had a big smile, whenever her grandchildren came to visit: Bruce of Gilroy, Wendy of Gilroy (married to Jeff Wilson) and Laurie of Gilroy (married to Michael Gallegos), Zachary of Juneau, AK (married to Wynette) and Suzanne of Corona (married to Mohammed Ali). Great-grandchildren are Will and Amy (Bruce). Brennan (Wendy and Jeff), Owen and Ella (Laurie and Michael), Siena, Isabella and Jackson (Zachary and Wynette); great-great-grandchild Nicole (Will). Mildred loved them all. She was the original shutterbug at each visit. Mildred would take photos, make copies and mail them to all family members.
Love came along early in life when she met Sandoe. He was working at an orchard nearby. She took to bringing cold water to him on his breaks. Later, at a barn dance, he asked her for a dance and that was it. He was caught. Their love continued and blossomed for the rest of their lives together.
Last April, they celebrated 75 years of marriage with friends. They both felt that the ability to compromise was the secret of their long marriage.
They started a welding business at the corner of Monterey Hwy. and Day Rd. in 1941. Mildred handled the office paperwork, while Sandoe fixed and built all sorts of things. She was a true helpmate for her husband in the business.
They also developed and operated a small ranch, on which they grew prunes, walnuts and other orchard crops. Together, they helped in organizing the Gilroy Cooperative Prune Dryers.
The Hannas raised their children by setting a good example of family values and community service. After their children were grown, they continued to give of themselves. Mildred was a member of the Magnolia Chapter of the Eastern Star since 1954, and a member of FRFG, a long-standing Gilroy book review club. She sponsored Rainbow for Girls and served on it’s Liaison Board during the 1970’s. She was Worthy Matron for Eastern Star in 1974 and State Deputy Grand Matron in 1978.
Mildred was an active outdoors person. In their 60’s, she and Sandoe climbed Mt. Whitney and Mt. Shasta, rode to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and camped in Alaska. In their 80’s, they helicoptered and boated to remote Alaskan cabins. Several years ago, she fulfilled a life-long dream of visiting Hawaii, where he had flowers in her hair and never stopped smiling.
Mildred was a life member of the Gilroy Historical Society and instrumental in saving Old City Hall (1966 & 1989), the Mayock House (1980’s) and Wheeler Hospital, playing a major role it its preservation and renovation into into Wheeler Manor. She helped organize a museum in Old City Hall.
Anywhere there was a need for helpers in the community, Mildred and Sandoe could be counted on to be there (washing dishes at the Garlic Festival, handing out water to runners, etc.) In 1994, Mildred and Sandoe were selected to the Gilroy Hall of Fame for being outstanding role models, unselfish volunteers and people who are truly community oriented.
Memorial Service will be at a later date, and a future announcement will follow.
