Obituary of Editha Lillian Hammond

With great sadness, the family of Editha Lillian Hammond announces her passing on October 19, 2020. Editha was born to Russell and Lillian Hellyer in Townsend Centre on January 11, 1925. Editha was predeceased by her beloved husband, Telford (Chum) on November 2, 2018 and her dearly missed son, Peter in May 28, 2020.Predeceased by John and Shirley Carlisle, Ted and Mildred Woodley, Walter Hellyer, David and Marion Hammond, and Norman Bennett. She will be missed by her sister-in-laws, Doreen Hellyer and Lillian Bennett and many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.She is the loving mother of Jo Ann and her husband, Gary Meiers, Charlie and his wife Audrey, Rick and his wife Sandra, and daughter-in-law Mary.Memories of Editha will be treasured by her grandchildren: Daniel (Lorie,) John (Kathy), Patrick (Heather), Michael (Clarice), Chad (Molly), Dean, Jane Ann (Luke), Derek (Katie), Ryan (Jill), Warren (Kristen), Jenna (Andrej). Editha was also blessed with fifteen great grandchildren.Editha grew up on a farm in Waterford, the daughter of a ginseng farmer, fruit farmer, and beekeeper. She learned to drive tractors and manage a team of horses as she worked alongside her father.Editha and Chum moved to St. Marys in 1950 and quickly grew to love the people of St. Marys and all the blessings the town offered. She found it a perfect place to raise their four children.Editha was an active member at First Baptist Church. With her love of music and a trained soprano voice, she was a choir member often performing solos. She loved to golf, curl, dance and play bridge. In the summers, she was the neighbourhood mom who supervised the swimming pool, fondly known as the “cement pond”. The children enjoyed good times in the pool. She taught all her children and grandchildren how to swim and dive.Editha taught her daughter to sew, sing, and bake, care for others, be the woman and mother that she is today, for which JoAnn is very grateful.Editha and Chum loved to travel. They circled North America in 1973 for a full year in a small motor home, with their two youngest sons, schooling them as they travelled along. Jo Ann and Peter joined their travels for brief times along the way when they could. It was a great family adventure. In their retirement, to escape the long winters, they made winter homes in Florida and later, Arizona. They shared their love of travel with their children and grandchildren with Europe, Mexico, U.S., and Western Canada being popular destinations.She will be fondly remembered by her family and friends.Our family is forever grateful for the dedicated staff and team of care workers at Wildwood Care Centre who cared for Editha and made her last days peaceful and comfortable. Our appreciation also goes out to Brenda Ingram for being such a thoughtful and faithful caregiver.Visitation at the Andrew L. Hodges Funeral Home on Friday, October 23 during the afternoon and evening. Please RSVP before Friday for a visiting time in person at the funeral home or virtually through Zoom by calling the funeral home at 519-284-2820 or emailing rsvphodges@gmail.com.A Private family service will be conducted with interment in St. Marys Cemetery.Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of St. Marys or to a charity of choice.