Obituary of Sylvia M Hammond

Remembering Sylvia Sylvia Marie Hammond departed this world at the call of Christ on Friday, February 9, 2019. She was 84 years of age. Sylvia was born, along with her twin brother, to Kenneth and Hazel Hammond on November 7, 1934 in Long Beach, California. She was honorable, hard-working and above all spiritual. A daughter who loved her family of origin and her congregation intensely. The later part of Sylvia’s childhood was spent in Lyman, WA where her family operated a dairy farm. After graduating from Sedro Woolley High School she attended Skagit Valley Junior College for 2 years before being moved by the Holy Spirit to enter the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Peace. Sylvia completed her novitiate at Mount Saint Mary’s in Bellingham, WA in 1955, taking final her vows in 1958. Sylvia was a graduate of Seattle University (Education, BA and Religious Education, MA). She began her career teaching elementary school in the Seattle Archdiocese with her initial year at Immaculate Conception Regional School in Mount Vernon, WA. She then taught in Seattle area schools before starting an accomplished missionary career in Alaska in 1970 at the request of the Bishop of Fairbanks. Sylvia devoted her life to catechetical teaching in the rugged, remote coastal villages of Alaska. Upon her return to Washington in 1976, Sylvia began another chapter in her career as Religious Education Coordinator for Seattle area parishes including St. Edward’s Parish in Renton and Holy Family Parish in Kirkland. Due to declining health, she retired from the Seattle Archdiocese and lived a prayerful life in Shelton, WA. Sylvia enjoyed needlework, genealogy, her flower garden, dogs, and spending time with family and her many friends. She welcomed a steady stream of visitors to her gracious home. Her beautiful smile and warm, gentle voice will be missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents and twin brother Sidney Hammond. Also preceding Sylvia was her dear friend Rev. Richard Parle. Grateful for having shared in her life are her sister-in-law Rose-Thérèse (Herard) Hammond of Bellingham and four nieces: Margo Hammond of Bellingham, Lisa Hammond (children Ina and William), of Bellingham; Marta Hammond of Mount Vernon; and Laura Hammond (and spouse Shon Hafer) of Shoreline. Extended relatives live in Skagit County and Southern California. She leaves behind the good that she accomplished, the holiness of her witness, but most known only to God. She strove to be a saint and in doing so was a saint-maker. Sylvia made a difference and we cherish her memory. May you rest in peace, good and faithful servant, sister, daughter, niece, aunt and friend. We thank God for your life, Sylvia, and could not have asked for a better example of peace, generosity and holiness.