Elena Hammond's Obituary
On February 11, 2023 my mom, Elena (DiMare) Hammond passed away. She'd been battling cancer for some time and the Lord finally granted her peace and brought her home.
My mom was an amazing woman and was the purest expression of kindness, patience and caring I've ever seen on this Earth. A genuine angel placed here by God.
I often tried to convince her to travel or go on adventures, but she was always hesitant - always preferred to stay home, close to my dad. It was always my mistake to think she was in some way missing out, but the truth was her greatest joy was in her family. Her adventures could be found there with us - laughing or drawing with granddaughters, recounting our funny family stories or just hanging out with my dad. Ed Sheeran's "Supermarket Flowers" has been part of my playlist lately and I particularly appreciate the lyrics:
I hope that I see the world as you did 'cause I know
A life with love is a life that's been lived
...and her life was well lived because it was genuinely full of love.
In our final time together, I'm grateful that I got to thank her multiple times: I am the dad that I am because of the mom that she was.
She was the master of the Italian goodbye, the keeper of our family stories, a mystical Mary Poppins who would magically produce surprises for Izzy and Damaya or randomly my third grade report card.
She asked us to forego a big funeral and we are having a small graveside service. In lieu of flowers, if folks would like, please donate in her name to the Dana-Farber foundation. My mom fought bravely against cancer on multiple MULTIPLE fronts and Dana-Farber is a top charity working on cutting edge research. AND, they're Boston based.
https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/Donation2...
I - along with my family and my dad - miss her terribly and I still have not wrapped my head around what the world looks like without her in it.
My mom is survived by her truest love, her husband Adam Hammond Jr, her son Adam Hammond III and his wife, her daughter (not in-law!) Amy Blaszyk Hammond, her two most-adored granddaughters, Isabella and Damaya Hammond, her sisters Teresa Bentley and Maria Souza – and a cavalcade of nephews and nieces – many who were her god children – who she loved always.
The family will be holding a private service.
What’s your fondest memory of Elena?
What’s a lesson you learned from Elena?
Share a story where Elena's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Elena you’ll never forget.
How did Elena make you smile?