Barbara H. Hansen

Barbara Harriott Hansen, 74, of Milford, Connecticut passed away peacefully on January 21, 2024 at Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Barbara was born in Albany, New York on December 3,1949 Barbara and spent most of her young life growing up in the Schenectady/Niskayuna, New York area.  When she was a teenager her family moved to California and she graduated from Rolling Hills High school in Palos Verdes CA.  Barbara started her college education at Santa Clara University and then graduated from SUNY Albany.  After college she spent time waitressing in the Albany, New York area where she met her first her husband Joseph A. Ripepi.  Their married life started in Orlando, Florida, where Barbara worked at Disney World (when it was just the Magic Kingdom) as a hostess at the Village restaurant.  They started a family and had two children, Joseph and Laura, before divorcing a few years later.  

After her divorce in the early 1980s she started a new career at General Electric Company, entering into a new computer programming training session they were just piloting.  As computers started to take off, so did her lifelong successful business career.  She was a single mom and worked hard to support her children by establishing a foothold in a workforce that was male dominated. She was employed at GE for almost 18 years and also worked at Aetna Health Plans, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Cigna Health Care and eventually retired from The Hartford in 2013.  In 1998 she found love again; she married Anthony Hansen in 1999 and the two of them started to build a new life together, blending their families. During retirement Barbara enjoyed traveling, especially to places with beaches, water views and beautiful sunsets. Most recently she found joy spending time with her grandchildren who were the light of her life.  Canine companions were dear to Barbara.  She leaves Pebbles behind, but has been reunited with Cocoa and Angel. Barbara was most passionate about her family.  She was kind and thoughtful and cared so deeply for the people around her; always putting others ahead of herself.  The support, attention and affection she gave to those she loved is unmatched.  She was the heart of the family and a true caregiver and advocate.  She was an amazing wife, mother, nana, sister, aunt and friend; she made an impact on many lives.  Her friends and family were fortunate to know her love; she will be forever missed and never forgotten.  Barbara is survived by her husband, Tony Hansen, her daughter, Laura Ripepi Carroll, son-in-law John Carroll, her grandchildren Cole Carroll and Piper Carroll, step-sons, James Hansen and wife, Gina DeGregorio and Rob Hansen and wife, Jamie D’Amato and their children Liam Hansen and Madison Hansen, one brother, Lloyd Harriott and wife, Theresa A. Harriott, two sisters-in-law, Teresa Harriott and her partner Jim Brogden and Maryann Hansen. Barbara was predeceased in death by her parents Lloyd and Marie Harriott, her brother John T. Harriott and her son Joseph Ripepi. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 10:00 AM in the Galello-Luchansky Funeral Home, 2220 Main Street, Stratford, officiated by Deacon Joseph Koletar. Interment will follow in Union Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Galello-Luchansky Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Milford Animal Hospital or the Stratford Animal Shelter.  

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