Viola Mae Hanna

Viola “Loli” M. Hanna (AKA Mrs. Viola Moats), 97, passed away peacefully July 7, 2024. She was born February 23, 1927 in Cleveland.

Loli had an interesting life. As a youth she grew up in a tudor style home that her father built in rural Mentor, 100 years ago on Magnolia Dr. where she lived with her parents and brother and had many fond memories.

Loli graduated from Mentor High School in 1944. After graduating she attended Bowling Green where she met her kind and gentle man, Lynn H. Moats. They married in November 1947 and lived in several locations in Ohio.

In Lima, Lynn and Loli had two daughters, Diane and Kathryn “Kathy” Moats. As a family, they relocated to Euclid where after a few years Lynn became disabled. Loli then finished her degree at Lake Erie College in 1966. Mrs. Loli Moats-Hanna taught second graders for 28 years how to read and write at Thomas Jefferson Elementary in Eastlake.

Loli was gifted with the ability to succeed in whatever tasks she tried to accomplish. She was an excellent typist, played the piano from a young age (and up until last year, she could still play her first recital piece that she performed at the age of 12.) She loved to golf, garden, play bridge, and enjoyed knitting.

Loli was married to George A. Hanna in 1977 and during their marriage they traveled the USA for 6 weeks after her retirement in 1984. They joined golf leagues and a dance group, and were active members of Presbyterian Church of the Western Reserve. They were also involved in many Masonic related organizations.

Loli and George moved to a ranch home in Breckenridge Village in 2005. Unfortunately, George passed away in 2006. For the next 18 years, Loli was very involved in the Breckenridge Village community.

At 72 years of age, she decided to learn quilting. She made over 30 beautiful quilts for her family members. “Made for you with Love” by Loli.

Over the years, Loli taught her daughters how to cook, drive, sew, and make amazing apple pies. She stressed honesty and that “family is important.”

Loli was a friend and acquaintance to many. If you knew her, hold a special memory in your heart and think of her as happy and healthy.

Survivors include her daughters, Diane Blaney (friend, Roger Williams) and Kathryn “Katie” (Lee) Turk; step-son, George (Penny) Hanna; grandchildren, Andrew (Joy), Laura, Kathryn, Claire, Dane (Alicia), Melissa (Matt), Olivia, and Rachel; great-grandchildren, Jory, Toby, Madelyn, Meira, Maverick, and Owen.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Lynn Moats and her second husband, George A. Hanna; brother, Erland Hoefler. Her parents, Harry and Astrid (Benson) Hoefler are also deceased.

Private family services will be held at a later date.