Elizabeth HAMMOND

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HAMMOND: Elizabeth (Beth) Ida Jane Hammond passed away Tuesday, October 26th, 2010 at the Hamiota Health Centre at the age of 70 years. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband Gordon, son Derwyn and his wife Mona, granddaughter Lily as well as extended family and close friends too numerous to list. Beth was born to parents William and Violet Innes on November 19, 1939 in the Brenda Municipality. She grew up in southwestern Manitoba around Waskada, Medora and Deloraine, helping with chores and enjoying the simple pleasures of life on the farm like listening to her parents and their friends play the piano and violin. At 14 years of age, Beth lost her mother and six months later her father died, just two days after Christmas. She boarded with the Blaney family for a time and then went on to attend boarding school in Teulon, Manitoba. The support of her older half-brother Orval, his wife Marjorie and their family following the loss of her parents created a special bond. Several teachers also helped Beth cope with her loss, and instilled in her a strong appreciation for the value of education. Upon graduation from the teacher training program at Brandon College in 1958, she moved to Griswold where she taught Grades 1-4 for five years. That fall, she met Gordon Hammond and the two were married on July 1, 1961. Beth worked as a partner on the family farm hauling grain, cooking for the farm hands, keeping records and accounts up to date and tending the garden and many flowers. She also helped care for Gordon's parents and sister Nellie until their passing. Their only son, Derwyn, was born in January 1969 and while he was growing up Beth took an active role in teaching Sunday school at the Griswold United Church where she was always a member, being a leader in the 4-H Beef Club, volunteering at his school and chaperoning for field trips. Beth was often described as a "people person", and everyone enjoyed her infectious laugh, her stories, her knowledge of names and history of family and friends. She always enjoyed the Christmas season and was known for playing Santa in the family, sending hundreds of parcels across the country over the years. She enjoyed curling until 1999 when she fell on the curling ice at the Griswold rink and suffered a severe head injury. In spite of subsequent health challenges Beth stayed connected with family and friends through correspondence, phone calls, gatherings and reunions like the 40th annual Moore reunion at the site of the original family homestead near Ompah, Ontario in 2006 and the Innes family reunion in Killarney this past summer. She was also very proud of having tracked down every member of her Brandon Teacher's College class for their 50th anniversary homecoming. Beth's latest pride and joy was her granddaughter, Lily, born in December 2008. Beth's eyes sparkled when she talked about Lily and she enjoyed sharing her "brag book" of pictures. We know Grandma loved watching this new branch of our family tree develop and grow. And as her niece put it so perfectly, Beth was the trunk that held the branches of our family together. She will be missed, but her legacy of cherishing relationships with family and friends will live on in our hearts. The family would like to thank Dr. Riche and Dr. Juce and the staff at both the Brandon Regional Health Centre and the Hamiota Health Centre for all their efforts to provide care and comfort to Beth during her time in hospital. They would also like to thank all the family and friends who came to visit her during that time. Their thoughtfulness was much appreciated. The Ceremony to Celebrate Beth's Life was held at Central United Church on Monday, November 1, 2010 with Rev. Craig Miller officiating. Honourary pallbearers were all those in attendance, active pallbearers were Les Wedderburn, Todd Lamb, Reed Wolfe, Dennis Veitch, Les Wood and Barrie Cochrane. Interment followed at Deloraine Cemetery, Deloraine, Manitoba. If friends so desire, donations inmemory of Beth may be made to the Griswold United Church, Box 41, Griswold, Manitoba, R0M 1P0, the Hamiota Health Centre, 177 Birch Avenue East Hamiota, Manitoba, R0M 0T0 or to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation (Dialysis Unit), 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 2B3. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 13, 2010