HANSEN – Sadly but truthfully Dalin (Bachand) Hansen lost her life to drug addiction on December 17, 2023 at the age of 48. Dalin was born in Bangkok, Thailand April 2, 1975, she grew up on an acreage north of Brooks with her mom, dad and two brothers Ashley and Rowan. Early life was typically busy riding the bus to school, gymnastics, brownies, figure skating, swim lessons, birthday parties, jazz dancing. She ran in the sprinklers, jumped on the trampoline, rode our horse, pedaled her bike, went to Sunday School and church camp. She was a sweet, kind, gentle and shy little girl with braids or ponytails! Marriage to Scott Hansen in 1994 saw the birth of Tristan Marie a year later. Then Dalin met Ed McKenzie – they lived in Drayton Valley, Brooks, Calgary and Bowness. Dalin and Ed became parents to Dylan, Logan, Kailyn, Jadyn and Aden. Life was not easy for Ed and Dalin and their children. Addiction ruled. Family ties were broken. Their children were placed into loving, caring adoptive families. Addiction ruled. In 2016 Dalin suffered flesh eating disease from drug use. This resulted in the complete removal of her right arm, shoulder and part of her torso. Dalin was tough and strong fighting fiercely to stay alive. After recovery Dalin found refuge at the Mustard Seed without Ed. She spent 3 winters there, clean, free of drugs. She did volunteer work in the kitchen, sought counseling with the kind, caring and devoted staff. The Mustard Seed stay led to her being accepted into a “Bridge to Home Program” which transitioned her to live in her very own apartment under the guidance of a case worker. Life was good for a period of time. But addiction rose its ugly head. Unknown to her in 2019 drugs took Ed McKenzie’s life at the age of 52. Also unknown to her their first born son Dylan fought the demons of addiction and he chose to take his own life in August, 2022 at the age of 24. Tragically when Dalin became aware of these losses the news was devastating and triggering to her. Life quickly went downhill.
Dalin was a daughter, a sister, a friend, an aunt, a niece, a cousin (Toni says cousin Dalin was her very first best friend!). Dalin was a mother of six children, a grandmother to Jaxxson and a grandmother to Lyla-Rose (stillborn child of Kailyn). Dalin’s life was altered by drug seeking behavior. Addiction damaged many friendships, hurt family relationships and addiction eventually took her life. This IS my daughter. This IS her story! As a society we need to talk about and share the devastation that drug addiction causes in our lives and in our world. I share scripture words from Psalm 46 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea….. be still and know that I am God”. May we know the surpassing love of God in Christ Jesus, the immeasurable greatness of His power for us and may this give us peace each day. Thom’s Funeral Home is in care of cremation. Private family internment will take place at a later date. To light a candle in memory of Dalin, to send flowers or to leave a message of sympathy, please visit www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call (403) 501-1010.
