Helen Hanson, 65, always cared for 'her people'

HELEN HANSON was the lady with the bag of books. She lugged the books throughout her 40-plus years as a teacher who concentrated on special education and reading to improve the lives of children who were underserved and often neglected by the public schools.

"She sought to help children by getting them to believe in themselves," her family said.

A warm and caring woman, Helen helped "her people," children in her care who were in need of emotional support or those previously termed emotionally disabled.

Helen Hanson, who taught in public schools in Kensington, Frankford and North Philadelphia, and who also taught college students and fellow teachers, died Sunday of cancer. She was 65 and lived in Rhawnhurst.

She taught at Webster School in Kensington, Stearne Elementary in Frankford and Douglass in North Philadelphia.

"Being warm and supportive like a surrogate parent, Helen would throw birthday parties for her students and would bring in extra clothes for children without," her family said.

"By helping children feel safe and protected in their schools, Helen was able to share her love and passion for reading and literacy. Never without a bag of books, Helen knew the power of the written word and how literacy could open doors for children at risk and struggling."

Later in her career, she began teaching even younger children. "She saw the power of intervention with children in grades 6 and younger," her family said. "She worked in smaller reading groups, helping nearly illiterate children get back on track."

Helen also realized the value of teaching teachers. She led staff developments, wrote grants for the school district to implement new and cutting-edge programs, and began teaching at Holy Family College.

She did all that while continuing to teach in the public schools, where she often supplemented classroom work with extended-day, after-school programs and summer school.

Helen was famous for her acute fashion sense, which earned her the nickname "Diva Doc."

She was born in Philadelphia to Helen and James Dougherty. She graduated from St. Hubert's High School, and went on to Holy Family College, from which she graduated in 1969 with majors in education and psychology.

She received three master's degrees from Temple University: in special education, 1972; psychology and reading, 1976; education administration, 1979. She received a Ph.D. from Temple in special education in 1993.

Besides her teaching, Helen was able to connect with her students' families in their communities. That earned her another nickname, "the Cardiologist," because she connected with people in their hearts.

Helen's husband, John Hanson, a Vietnam War veteran who had been exposed to Agent Orange, died of cancer in the 1970s.

She was proud of their only son, Jamie, who is working on his Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He also works with at-risk children, understanding how stress affects brain development.

She also is survived by a sister, Sonia Geier.

Services: Funeral Mass 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Jerome Church, Holme Avenue and Stamford Street. Friends may call at 7 p.m. Thursday at Fluehr's Funeral Home, 3301 Cottman Ave.