Obituary of E. Doreen Hammond

October 13, 1926 – Stettler, Alberta

October 14, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Doreen Hammond (nee Campbell), beloved wife of the late Bill Hammond, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, October 14, 2024, at the age of 98 years.

Mom was born in Stettler, AB, on October 13, 1926; the eldest of five kids. At the time, her parents, Margaret and Harold Campbell, lived and farmed in Red Willow, AB. They subsequently moved and settled on a farmstead west of Stettler where Mom had to walk one mile to school. Her aunts in Vancouver had none of that, so at a very young age, she travelled to Vancouver, BC, by train. She stayed with her aunts in Vancouver for a few years and attended school there. Later she returned to Stettler where she completed her schooling.

In 1948 (at age 22), Mom and her sister Betty travelled to the big city (Calgary) where Mom became a bank teller at the Royal Bank Hillhurst branch. Through friends at the bank, she met Bill Hammond (VE6GQ). They purchased property in Banff Trail Community in 1952 and spent every spare minute for three years building their forever home. They were married on August 7, 1954, and moved into their far-from-finished home in 1955. They welcomed two kids – Warren in 1958, and Karen in 1963. Mom lived in their home until her passing on October 14, 2024.

As a life-long member of the Banff Trail Community Association, Mom and her family have been extremely involved in all aspects of community life. She was one of the original members of the volunteer Ladies Auxiliary, whose event planning and catering provided funds to help support the community. Mom will be remembered for all the time and work she contributed – from selling hot chocolate in the basement concession to early morning hours working the counting room at the casino fundraisers. Mom continued to be involved and extremely interested in the community up until her passing.

Mom joined Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in the early 1960’s where she met many lifelong friends. Her involvement with Beta Sigma Phi provided her with great pleasure, participating in so many of their activities and events over the years. She maintained her active involvement with the sorority well into her 90’s.

Following the passing of her husband Bill in 1995, Mom decided to continue with Dad’s passion for being an Amateur Radio operator. She passed the certification and was able to operate under Dad’s call sign – VE6GQ – for a number of years. Through this activity, Mom became involved in the Calgary Amateur Radio Operators (CARATELS) and through the support of its members was able to participate in their monthly meetings, which she enjoyed immensely.

Mom was a great supporter of whatever activity her family was interested/involved in – whether sports or the Arts. She was a great fan, attending many of their sporting events, and she also strongly encouraged them to be involved in the Arts. Mom personally had a great passion for music and singing. She and her sisters sang together in their youth, and she took advantage of any opportunity to attend musical performances in Calgary, as well as any production her grandchildren were part of.

Mom was unfailingly polite and kind. She always seemed to find the good in the people she met along the way. She had a special gift for remembering people, their families, and the dates of significant events in their lives. She was genuinely pleased to meet and converse with people, which is evident in the number of people who remember her fondly.

She was predeceased by her husband, William (Bill) Andrew Hammond; sisters, Della Nagel and Betty Welty; and her brother and sister-in-law, Al and Norma Hammond.

Doreen is survived by her son Warren (Karin) Hammond of Wainwright, AB; daughter Karen (Cody) Bennett of Cochrane, AB; brother Frank (Jean) Campbell of Squamish, BC; granddaughters, Erin, Leah, and April Hammond; and many special and well-loved nieces and nephews.

The family extends their sincerest thanks to Mom’s special and long-time friends, Lucille, Elizabeth, Dana, Wanda, Sandy, and Nick, and latterly to Mom’s neighbours, Lauren, Garrett, Paul, and Brayden, as well as Mom’s caregivers, Lilia, Precious, Bianca, Daisy, and Karen from ‘Focus on Caring’, who supported Mom with her wish to be at home for as long as possible.

A private family-only Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Friends are invited to join us at McInnis and Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6) on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. for a Reception Tea.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to a charity of your choice.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Doreen's family here.

In living memory of Doreen Hammond, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.