Debra Anne Cowart Hansen's Obituary
Debra Anne Hansen, age 68, of Austin, Texas, passed away on September 25, 2022, after a long battle with cancer.
Debbie was born in Tampa, Florida, to parents Jesse David Cowart and Myrtice L. Swafford Cowart on July 12, 1954. She and her two brothers grew up in Tampa, and she graduated from Brandon High School.
After a friend introduced Debbie to Robert Hansen at a local pizza parlor, they went on their first date several weeks later and both knew they’d met “the one.” They were married on October 27, 1979. They later welcomed two children, Jennifer Lee Hansen and Jonathan Ryan Hansen.
Debbie and Robert loved their time in Florida, living in Tampa, Seffner, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville. Robert’s job prompted them to move to Columbia, Maryland, and then to Austin, Texas, in 1998.
Over the years, Debbie worked for the General Telephone Company (Tampa) in customer service, for the Maryland School System (Columbia) in food service, and for the Round Rock Independent School District (Austin) as a school bus driver. Debbie initially drove the school bus on a standard route, but she found her real passion for the job when she switched to drive for
special needs children. Her kind heart and gentle nature were a perfect match for that position, and she treasured that experience.
Debbie’s favorite job, though, was being a wonderful mother to Jen and Jon, a loving Grandma to cherished grandsons Hayes and Brooks, and an adoring Pet Parent to precious Westie pups Lucy and Roxie. She loved her family more than anything. Some of her favorite memories involved traveling back to Tampa every summer to spend time with family—playing cards, sharing stories, and laughing as much as possible.
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Robert Hansen; daughter Jen Hansen McCormick (Mark); son Jonathan Hansen (Lindsey); grandsons William Hayes Hansen and Brooks August Hansen; brothers Michael Cowart (Debby) and Jay Cowart (Tammy); as well as dear friend Gayle Cowart.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Debbie’s memory to the American Cancer Society.
A Celebration of Debbie’s life will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Sunset Memory Gardens in Thonotosassa, Florida.
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