Omaha native Sister Mary Lee Hansen loved painting and photography

Sister Mary Lee Hansen, an Ursuline Sister of Louisville and Omaha native, was a teacher, communications director and administrative assistant throughout her more than 65 years of religious life.

She died on Feb. 1 at the age of 89.

Sister Mary Lee entered the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville in 1957. She taught at the former Blessed Sacrament School in the Archdiocese of Omaha from 1963 to 1967. She also taught in South Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Sister Mary Lee enjoyed calligraphy, painting watercolors and photography. In 1974, Sister began working as the director of communications for the Ursuline Sisters. Later, she served as an administrative assistant to the leadership team until 2005.

Born in Omaha on May 30, 1933, Sister Mary Lee attended the former Technical High School in Omaha. She graduated from Ursuline College, Louisville, with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and earned a master’s degree in education from Creighton University.

Sister Mary Lee’s funeral Mass was to be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 8 in the Motherhouse in Louisville, with burial to follow in St. Michael Cemetery, also in Louisville.

Sister Mary Lee is the daughter of the late Emil and Opal Cossairt Hansen. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Don Hansen, and is survived by her sister-in-law Anne Clark of Salome, Arizona, niece Ronda Bowley, great-nieces and nephews, as well as her community of Ursuline Sisters and Associates.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Ursuline Sisters and mailed to the Mission Advancement Office, 3105 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40206.