September 26 2017: OLIVERA-HANSEN, Paula S.

PAULA SUSANA OLIVERA-HANSEN

On September 25th, we lost an exemplary human being here on earth. What will never be lost are the beautiful memories, passion for life, and feelings of love she inspired in every single person that came into contact with her.

Paula Susana Olivera-Hansen, known to most as Susy, was born in Quillabamba, Peru in December of 1955 to the proud parents of Hugo Olivera and Josefina Loayza.  Susy was the eldest of 2 brothers and 5 sisters.

Susy was a pioneer who paved the way for her siblings to venture out and establish lives in the United States and in Europe. Susy left Peru at 18 years old and moved to Caracas, Venezuela, which would become her home for the next 12 years.  It is in Caracas where she would meet her “amigas del alma” and those friendships would continue for the rest of her life.

In 1984, Susy came to the United States via a language program offered at Penn State, with the intention of staying only a couple of months to learn English.  Upon completing the program, she decided to stay in the United States, and relocated from State College to our nation’s Capital of Washington, DC.

It is here that Susy’s path crossed with Jay Hansen, the man who later became her husband and partner in life.  Brought together by their love of music and dance, the two married on Valentine’s Day in 1989. After three years of marriage, they decided to add another member of the family. In 1992, Chaska Olivera Hansen, Susy’s only daughter, was born, and this was the beginning of the next stage of Susy’s life as a mother. In the years that followed, the family bond between Jay, Susy, and their Chaskita, became stronger through their travels, time together, and love for each other.

In the first few years of Chaska’s childhood, Susy dedicated herself to being a nurturing mother. It was her involvement in Chaska’s upbringing and education that sparked her interest and future career in foreign language programs for children. For nearly 12 years Susy dedicated her career to the teaching of the Spanish language and culture to elementary school children at the Washington Episcopal School.

No matter where she lived or what she did, Susy’s Peruvian culture was an influence and guide throughout her entire life.  You could always find Susy eating Peruvian cuisine, dancing to traditional music and disco, and sharing her Cusqueña identity with her friends and family.  This pride in her culture lives on through her daughter.

Susy has shown us what it is to live a vibrant life, full of travel, learning, and shared experiences. The courage she exemplified when confronted with cancer was inspirational. What this disease was never able to take from her was her incredible ability to never lose an ounce of fortitude, strength and the positive way she had always lived her life. It is through her family, friends, and strong sense of spirituality, that she was able to remain fearless in the face of this disease.  Susy truly outlived her cancer.

Please join us in celebrating the life of Susy Olivera-Hansen, mother, wife, sister, compassionate friend, and a role model for us all.  We ask that instead of wearing black, you wear bright, happy colors, as this best represents Susy’s personality.  Relatives and friends may call at Holy Cross Church, 4900 Strathmore Ave., Garrett Park, MD 20896, on Friday, September 29th beginning at 10 a.m., where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m.

Reception following Mass: The Olivera-Hansen Home, 4914 Flanders Ave, Kensington, MD 20895

Donations: Donations may be made in honor of Susy Olivera-Hansen to the American Lung Association at

 https://tinyurl.com/yb3k9thm