Well known community volunteer Sarah “Bunny” Bernice Hansen (born Bradley) passed away peacefully at her home on October 7th, 2022 just 2 ½ weeks shy of her 92nd birthday. Sarah was born on October 25th, 1930, in Corona, California to parents Bill and Myrtle Bradley. She had two older brothers, Donald, and Alvin.
Sarah graduated from Corona High School in 1947 where she was crowned Miss Corona. During high school, she excelled in many sports as well as fine arts.
After graduation, she started college at the University of Idaho as an Art major and PE minor. A year later, she transferred to University of Oregon to be closer to her older brother who was playing football for U of O’s rival, Oregon State. While at U of O, she was The President of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, played competitive tennis, softball, and field hockey. She graduated with a BS in 1953.
Following graduation, Sarah taught Art and PE at Oregon City High School near Portland. After 2 years of teaching, she returned to Southern California to pursue a career in Commercial Art. While waiting for doors to open for her in the art world, a world very few women were traversing at the time, she took a job with San Bernadino as a social worker.
During a fishing trip, she met Daryl Hansen and they bonded over their mutual love of fishing, hunting and the outdoors. They were married on Valentine’s Day in 1958 and remained married for 47 years until Daryl’s death. After marrying, Sarah and Daryl moved to Fillmore, beginning their partnership with the family citrus pest control business. They had 3 children, twin daughters Lisa and Lori, and son Tim.
When her children were young, Sarah became a scout troop leader and PTA president. She continued her community involvement by joining Soroptimist and began constructing multiple community outreach programs such as Volunteer Services, Fillmore Bike Path, Imogene Vest Fishing Derby, Tree Planting Projects, the Peace Pole at City Hall, Civic Pride, Relay for Life, Man a Basket and delivering flowers for hospice. This earned her countless accolades including Citizen of the Year two times, a key to the city, and was awarded a GEM membership for her outstanding services in Ventura County. She was an avid walker and encouraged peers to do so by starting a weekly Senior walk. Sarah was also well known for her popular wood carvings that she donated and frequently gave out as gifts to her family and friends. She found her passion for tennis again and played well into her eighties.
Sarah is preceded in death by her husband Daryl, mother Myrtle, father Bill and stepfather Roy Warren, brothers Don and Al, and grandson Nicholas.
She is survived by children Lori (Tom), Lisa, Tim (Sheri), seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a community that loved her.
We are extremely grateful to her caregivers. With their help, mom was able to come home and live her best life.
A celebration of Sarah’s life will be held on Saturday, November 12th at 10 AM at the historic Bardsdale United Methodist Church, 1498 Bardsdale Ave., Fillmore. Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Sarah’s name to Soroptimist of Fillmore, PO Box 574, Fillmore, CA 93016.