Obituary of Hanne Stanfield

STANFIELD, Hanne (nee Hvetbo)

February 22, 1938 – Copenhagen, Denmark

April 5, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Hanne Stanfield of Calgary, Alberta, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at the age of 84 years.

Hanne was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on February 22, 1938. After completing high school, she graduated from Handelshojskolen Business School as a trilingual secretary in English, German and Spanish. She left Denmark in 1960 to work in Turkey where she met her first husband Robert Blair. Through Bob’s work, they lived in Venezuela, Colombia, Spain, Germany, and Holland. Their two daughters were born overseas, and they came as a family to Canada in 1971, living in Edmonton and later in Calgary. Before Bob’s passing in 1983, they enjoyed a life full of love, family, and time at the cabin at Pigeon Lake.

Hanne married Michael Stanfield in 1993. With British Columbia now home, they lived in Cedar, Armstrong, and Penticton where travel, art and music accompanied their shared love of their combined family. Their home was always welcoming to visits from family and friends, who often joined them on their daily walks in the woods or down to the beach. Hanne and Michael were inseparable, each cherishing the active and full life they had created together. Michael passed in 2014.

Later Hanne was lucky to befriend Ove Poulsen at Athens Creek Retirement Lodge. They enjoyed several years of love and companionship before Ove passed in 2020.

Regardless of where she was, Hanne was always connected to her Danish roots and active in local Danish church and community groups. She taught Danish for many years in both Alberta and British Columbia and returned many times to Denmark to visit her extended family.

Hanne always had a passion for language and travel, creating lifelong friendships along the way. She will be remembered for her sense of adventure, her kind heart, and her beautiful grace.

Hanne is survived by her daughters, Karin Kerr (Randy) and Elise Blair; stepdaughters, Deborah Stanfield (Brian Ricketts) and Clare Stanfield; and stepson, Tim Stanfield (Jayne). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jenessa (Sam), Kevin, Chad, Jodi (Paul), Adel (Stephane), Alix (Louis), and Sam; as well as eight great-grandchildren. Hanne is survived by extended family in both Canada and Denmark along with many dear friends.

Hanne was predeceased by her loving husbands Robert Blair and Michael Stanfield, her parents Alfred and Rosa Hvetbo and her brothers Peter and Karsten.

Hanne’s Celebration of Life will be held at the Danish Lutheran Church (210-10th Ave NE, Calgary, AB) on Friday, April 22, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. Reception to follow at the Parish Hall. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed  here. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Danish Lutheran Church or to the Danish Canadian National Museum.