Frances Margaret Hammond (formerly Pellett, née Van Kleeck) passed away peacefully surrounded by family after more than 98 years contributing joy.
She was predeceased by parents Dr. Peter Douglas Van Kleeck and Florence Alice (Groves), brothers Bruce and Doug, sisters Margaret and Barb (Burns), and husbands Keith Pellett and Herbert “Bud” Hammond.
She is survived by sister Winifred Wilson, children K. A. Tony Pellett (Tamara Graham, Rhondda Rempel, Jonathan, Elizabeth Sirianni, Benjamin, Anna-Maria Reid), John Hammond (Kelly McBride, Jennifer Hammond), Peter Hammond (Riley), Martha McDonald (husband Ray, sons Peter, Michael, Thomas, Matthew, Daniel), Ruth Hammond (Shane, Dawn, Dylan and Isaac Visintainer), nine great-grandchildren and “third daughter” Lorraine Pellett.
Fran grew up in Armstrong, exploring Shuswap-Okanagan with friends and family, beginning studies at the University of Alberta and marrying Keith. He was killed in WWII, as was her cherished kid brother Bruce. Fran remained in Armstrong to raise Tony, making a living in insurance sales. In the early ’50s she moved to Vancouver, later married Bud and began growing their family there. After his death in 1985 she began living near Sorrento part-time, moving there permanently in the ’90s. Most recently she resided at Mt. Ida Mews in Salmon Arm.
Fran was a live wire, brightening the lives of all around her. She talked to strangers, and left them smiling. She could be silly and make it work. Neighbourhood kids might remember her concocting fractured fairy tales on the front lawn. Others might recall her wit and humour during her time as a tax-preparer and H&R Block teacher, as a long-time Red Cross blood services volunteer (and continual donor), and as a friend who always had a great, if slightly off-colour joke. She earned a Bronze lifeguard certificate in her 50s and later swam across Shuswap Lake, knew the Latin names for the plants in her gardens, and wrote poetry for publication and on birthday cards. A wonderful mother, she had many interests beyond home-making, from current events to nutrition to literature and much more; she was always concerned about others and their welfare, and she was always interesting.
The family thanks Dr. Warren Bell and Mt. Ida Mews staff for their friendship and loving care. A celebration of life will be held at St. Mary’s Anglican/United Church at 1188 Trans-Canada Highway, Sorrento at 2 p.m. Oct. 8, followed by a get together at Sorrento Memorial Hall across the road. Interment of ashes will be on Oct. 9 at the Armstrong-Spallumcheen cemetery. A second celebration of life is being planned for Vancouver. Further details will be available in the comments on Fran’s obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com.