Police Officer's Mother, Lori Hansen Of Brick, Loses Cancer Fight

BRICK, NJ — The mother of a Toms River police officer who died in September months after a horrific crash has died of the liver cancer she had been battling.

Lori Jan Hansen of Brick died Jan. 19, according to her obituary on the O'Brien Funeral Home website. Hansen was 58. Her son, Brett Hansen, who lived in Brick and was an officer in the Toms River Police Department, died in late September, just shy of nine months after a crash on the Garden State Parkway as he returned home from work after a shift.

Lori Hansen spoke of her cancer battle in a GoFundme post about Brett in which she said she believed he would survive. Her obituary said she passed away peacefully at her sisters' home in Old Bridge, surrounded by her family.

According to her obituary, Lori began her career as an elementary school teacher in Freehold, then moved on to various other jobs while raising her family. "She didn't find her true 'home' until 14 years ago when she began working for Drs. Harvey and Maria Richman, at Shore Family Eye Care, in Manasquan. They were a family to her, as were her co-workers, and they were such a strong support system, she always said there were no words that could ever truly express the love and gratitude she felt for them."

Lori was born in the Bronx, grew up in Old Bridge and moved to Brick 25 years ago. She was a graduate of Grove City College, in Grove City, PA.

In addition to her son Brett, Lori also was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Janet Ray.

She is survived by her loving husband of 33 years, James A. Hansen, and the light of her life, her son Tyler James of Brick; her sisters, Lynn M. Ray, Carol J. Ray, and Debra A. Tipton, all of Old Bridge; her nieces, Katie Ray, her "favorite" daughter of Old Bridge, and Gabriella Rubio of Connecticut; her nephew, and "third son" Sherriff's Officer Cody Tipton of Old Bridge; and Joseph Guzzio. She will be greatly missed by her faithful dog Jersey, as well.

Lori also is survived by her "other" family, the Verallis." Glenn and Karen, you were an inspiration to her and she loved you both very much. Aunt Janette , you were an incredible 'second' Mom, and she adored you. The rest of the Veralli gang, you were the best of her childhood memories," her obituary said.

Visiting will be on Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the O'Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road, Brick. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 11 a.m. at the Manasquan United Methodist Church in Manasquan. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Brielle.

Donations may be made in her name to any one of her favorite charities, which included autism, traumatic brain injury, and of course, cancer.

"She fought a valiant battle, her courage was an inspiration to us all; her love and compassion towards other people, a quality we should all aspire to possess," her family said.

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