New Albany, Indiana - Carol Sue Mathes Hansford, 90, passed away on Wednesday, December 10th, 2025 in New Albany, Indiana. She was born on March 3rd, 1935 to the late Vernon and March (Melton) Mathes in New Albany, Indiana. Sue graduated from New Albany High School and worked in the family business, Mathes Pharmacy, where she managed the soda fountain with great expertise. She graduated from Indiana University Southeast where she was a member of Phi Beta Phi sorority, and obtained her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Sue began her career in education at S. Ellen Jones Elementary School. After taking 16 years off to raise her daughter she started teaching Kindergarten in 1977-78 at Galena Elementary School where she taught hundreds of students during her career. She loved her students and they loved Mrs. Hansford.

She was a lifetime member of Centenary Methodist Church. After retirement, Sue volunteered for the free Centenary meal program. Not one to travel, she enjoyed staying home and taking care of many pets, including most recently, Bailey, Ralph, Sassy and Tootsie.

She will always be remembered for her kindness to others, and especially the thoughtful gifts given to friends and family. Sue was a sweet soul. She was kind-hearted with a loving warm spirit and most of all the best mom ever.

In addition to her parents, Sue was preceded in death by; husband, James F. "Bob" Hansford; and a sister, Joy (Mathes) Schulz.

Left to cherish her memory; daughter, Leslie (Lowell Dodge) Hansford; brother, Jon (Betty) Mathes; a brother-in-law, Steve Schulz; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held at the Oak Street Chapel of the Naville & Seabrook Funeral Home on Sunday, December 14th from 12 PM - 6 PM. Funeral Service will be held at the Oak Street Chapel on Monday, December 15th at 11 AM with burial to follow at Graceland Memorial Park.

Charitable donations can be made to My Dog Eats First, who feed the pets of the houseless and underserved. She knew many of the recipients by name and enjoyed tagging along with her daughter on many deliveries over the years.

Donations to:My Dog Eats First, PO Box 5157, Louisville, Ky. 40255-0157.