Joann Elizabeth (Herb) Hanson Obituary

Joann Herb Hanson, age 87, adored resident and humanitarian of Tybee Island, Georgia was called back home to The Heavenly Father and into the arms of Our Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, July 19, 2021. She attended Commercial High School in Savannah, Georgia and was a student of the arts at Bellarmine University in Louisville, where she focused on sculpturing. She was baptized at St. John the Baptist Cathedral and was a parishioner of St. Michael’s Catholic Church on Tybee. She was a faithful Catholic and found her strength and refuge in Christ. She was a beloved sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and looked after her grandchildren as they were her own.
Joann moved away from Savannah around the age of 17, traveled the world and lived in Spain, France and South America. She took part in missionary work in Medjugorje, Bosnia during the Croatian wars, where she prayed the rosary and experienced the presence of the Blessed Mother. For over 30 years Joann lived in Louisville, Kentucky and raised a family before retiring and moving back to Tybee Island with her husband, Joe Hanson.
Joann was an animal humanitarian, making sure no animal in her sight went unfed. She knew no stranger and was welcoming to all; she loved and respected all life. She would get many visitors to her house, even strangers who heard of her good deeds and wanted just a few minutes to talk. She was considered by many as the ‘Saint of the Animals’ on the island. Also, a well-known local artist, many of her paintings and sculptures reflected that love for life.
Preceded in death by husband, Joseph Leonard Hanson; parents, Joseph Christopher Herb and Louise Caroline Herb (Frizelle); sister, Louise Herb (Matthews); and daughter, Tammy Shannon Vereen. She is survived by son, Shawn Vereen, and wife Zarina; Daughter, Dawn Vereen (Cox) and husband Brent; and youngest son, Darrin; grandchildren, Maria Vereen, Shannon Pitchford (Farrell), Danny Hitchings, Stephen McBride, Christopher McBride, Joann McBride (Knowles), Suzann McBride (Strange), Nicole Deuser (Clark), and Liz-Marie; great-grandchildren, Skye, Savannah, Sadie, Sienna, Kaylee, Nicholas, CJ, Saylor, Tanner, Loralea, Micaela, Hunter, TammyLynne, Robert, and Ariel.
Her celebration of life service will be held Saturday July 24, 2021, at St. Michaels Catholic Church on Tybee Island. A gathering from 9-10am, with the service at 10am. A graveside ceremony at Laurel Grove North Cemetery is to follow for immediate family, where she and her Husband Joe’s ashes will be laid to rest in the Herb family historical plot. Friends and family are welcome to join us after, for a celebration gathering from 12-4pm at Hucapoos (side-deck), Joann’s favorite spot to eat on Tybee Island.
We will accept flowers sent to the Church; however, we encourage you to donate in her honor to the Humane Society of Savannah, The Respect Life Organization-U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops or to your favorite humanitarian organization.