Lois Lynn Hanna
Lois Lynn Hanna, a Lakeside resident from 1985 to 2014, living in both Chapala and Ajijic, died October 17, 2017 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Hanna was born September 19, 1930 in Coshocton, Ohio. A passion for music came via her mother, who played the piano in the silent movies, the organ in church and the violin. Although her mother wished her to pursue a career as a classical pianist (which she became proficient at), she preferred jazz and the blues. Some of her favorite artists were Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole.
Hanna was the lead majorette of her high school band, and performed frequently as a singer in her home town of Coshocton, Ohio.
She enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951, and served as a Senior Air Transportation Specialist flying with the weather service stationed in Newfoundland. Later, she flew with hurricane hunters while broadcasting weather in Norman, Oklahoma.
Hanna sang with the Air Force Band, and did a three-month tour with Charley Barnett’s big band, performing for General Dwight Eisenhower, General Omar Bradley and other notable military figures.
Hanna made an appearance on the Ted Mack television show in New York, and was subsequently held over to perform on his radio program. During her career she undertook copy writing, radio and television production, commercials, voice overs and hosted a daytime talk show for many years. She was also a weather reporter for an ABC affiliate television station in Beaumont, Texas.
With her third husband, Richard Hanna, she moved to Lakeside in 1985 and enjoyed painting, studying with Lakeside artists Enrique Velazquez and Luisa Julian. She was a member of the Ajijic Society of the Arts and and, with her husband, was a regular at La Nueva Posada’s Sunday brunch. She loved Mexico, especially the rainy season and their view of Lake Chapala from an upper terrace of their home.
After Richard Hanna’s death in 2014, she moved to California to be close to family. She passed away peacefully with her family and Mexican cat Jasmine by her side.
Because of her love of flying, Hanna’s ashes were released in the Pacific Ocean by airplane off the coast by the Point Fermin Lighthouse in San Pedro, California.
She is survived by a daughter and two stepsons, who reside in California and Texas.