GRETCHEN HANSON

In 1983, Gretchen Hanson experienced the profound challenges of losing her father to cancer. This deeply personal loss revealed how unprepared she and her family were to navigate the emotional and practical realities of caring for a loved one at the end of life. Determined to ensure others would not face the same struggles alone, Gretchen committed herself to a path of service and learning.

She pursued a master’s degree in human development, specializing in end-of-life care, and studied extensively in England, renowned for its innovative, community-centered hospice care system. Inspired by the hospice philosophy and its emphasis on compassionate support, Gretchen founded Tamarisk in 1993 to provide the social and emotional care families need during life’s most difficult moments.