Betsy Hansen, 74, loved to serve others

Betsy Hansen was the consummate volunteer.

The Brookhaven resident served on the national board of UNICEF. She founded the Oglethorpe Women’s Network, which supports the Women’s Studies program at Oglethorpe University.

“She was just the most generous, warm-hearted spirit,” said daughter Brandon Hansen Frein of Chicago. “She turned that love toward many charities, her family and her friends.”

Betsy Brandon Gamble Hansen, 74, died Sunday at Piedmont Hospital of complications of surgery. Her funeral is at 2 p.m. Thursday at The Cathedral of St. Philip in Buckhead. H.M. Patterson & Son is in charge of arrangements.

Oglethorpe President Dr. Lawrence M. Schall said the first full-tuition scholarship given by the college’s Center for Civic Engagement, which opened two years ago, was named in Mrs. Hansen’s honor.

“She was a role model here for faculty, staff and students, and it is hard to imagine life without her at this moment,” he said.

Other survivors include husband Harald R. Hansen and son Edward E. Hansen, of Atlanta.