Reverend Doctor Barbara J. Hanshaw

Co-founder of the Alliance of Divine Love, Rev. Dr. Barbara Hanshaw, 80, passed away May 29, 2011 at her home in West Palm Beach. Dr. Hanshaw died peacefully in her sleep following a brave battle with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. An ordained minister, Reverend Dr. Hanshaw was the co-founder of the Alliance of Divine Love, an interfaith ministry which is now an international organization with more than 1,800 ministers.

She was the devoted mother of five daughters, Carla Ewing of West Palm Beach; Melanie Forget of Fort Pierce; Terri Hanshaw of Tampa; Jeanne McGregor, M.D., of Tampa; and Kimberly Leland of Royal Palm Beach. In addition to her birth children, dozens of people considered Dr. Hanshaw to be their mother as she was filled with love and compassion for everyone. She is also survived by two son-in-laws, Phil Forget of Fort Pierce and David Leland of Royal Palm Beach; six grandchildren, Heather Forget; J.R. Ewing; Brent Forget; Kate Leland Napier; Kayla Leland Pragid and Dallas Leland; two great grandsons, James Cody Ewing and David Ewing; sister Marilyn Lambert of Fort Lauderdale; and many nieces and nephews.

Dr. Hanshaw was born in Peru, Indiana, was educated in Huntington, W.Va. and moved to West Palm Beach in 1961. She was employed full time throughout her life and continued to tirelessly direct the operations of the Alliance of Divine Love up until two days before her death.

Dr. Hanshaw taught ministerial lessons for more than 50 years, helping to educate others about the power of love and tolerance. She ordained hundreds of ministers who continue her life’s work throughout the world.

She is preceded in death by her granddaughter Lindsay Ewing; son-in-law James Ewing; former husband, David Hanshaw; brother Joseph Martin; and parents Harry and Margaret Martin.

At her request, there will be no official services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Rev. Dr. Barbara Hanshaw Angel Fund, c/o Kimberly Leland, 11420 Okeechobee Boulevard, Royal Palm Beach, FL, 33411. Funds will be used to provide scholarships to those who wish to enter the ministry and/or to provide resources for ADL projects which continue Dr. Hanshaw’s teachings of interfaith love.