Ripley - Brenda J. Hanson, 78, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2024, with her children by her side. She was born on July 15th, 1946, in Dexter, the daughter of Errold and Joyce (Downing) Arnold. She was raised in Dexter, graduating from Dexter High School, class of 1967. She then earned her Maine cosmetology license and worked as a hair stylist in Portland. When she returned to Dexter to raise her family, she worked in the Dexter School Department before her many years at the Dexter Shoe office where she retired. Brenda and Gary Hanson married in 1983 and raised their four children in the house they built in Ripley. They enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, and exploring Maine. They were active in their community, Ripley Trail Riders snowmobile club, and members of the Cornerstone Baptist Church. Brenda especially enjoyed being part of the Cornerstone church community, assisting with vacation bible school every summer, attending Sunday school with her husband, and helping with the kids programs and church luncheons. In her free time Brenda loved gardening, watching for hummingbirds, shopping, and spending time with her friends and family. Brenda is predeceased by her parents and her beloved husband Gary. She is survived by her two sisters, Linda and Douglas Cote of Dexter, and Lorilee and Robert "Jay" Locke of Hanson, MA; four children, Michael Breen of Athol, MA, Joni Boissonneault and partner Robert Duplisea of Monmouth, ME, Jon and wife Jen Hanson of Palmyra, ME, Stacey and husband Kevin MacDonald, of Glastonbury, CT; many grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their children as well. She leaves behind many special friends and neighbors whom she loved and helped her through the years. Funeral services will be held at 12pm Saturday, January 4th, at the Cornerstone Baptist Church, 1195 Stetson Road, Exeter, with Rev. Stan Griffin officiating. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the funeral. The burial will take place in the spring at the family plot in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Dexter. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cornerstone Baptist Church.