It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our Mom, Irene Bertha Hammond, on December 27, 2018. Irene was born on August 9, 1925 in Hay Lakes, Alberta. As a farm girl and the eldest (female) of 11 siblings, she began caring for (and feeding!) others at a very young age. She moved to British Columbia at the age of 17, where she met the love of her life and future husband Harold (Spud) Hammond – at a roller rink in Victoria. They were married on May 23, 1947.

Harold was in the Armed Forces, and as a consequence, they moved frequently. They had two boys, Byron and Douglas, and eventually settled in Kamloops, where they welcomed their third son, Wayne. In Kamloops Irene worked in the retail industry at Woolworth’s and Woolco, making life long friends along the way.

In 1993 and 1997 Irene was given what was to be her greatest joys – her two granddaughters, Erika and Kirsten. They were truly the lights of her life. She also opened her heart to her three step grandchildren, Maggie McLeod, Emma McLeod, and Scott McLeod when they became part of the family in 2012. Harold and Irene spent many years being involved with the Masons and Eastern Star. They volunteered at community events – Irene often cooking and caring for others, as was her nature. Irene enjoyed camping, cooking family dinners, and watching her granddaughters’ various sporting activities. Irene was predeceased by her brothers Raymond Tingstad (1936), Clarence Tingstad (1991), Ernie Tingstad (2012), Lorne Tingstad (2013), and her husband Harold Hammond (2006). She is survived by her siblings Alec Tingstad (Verna), Gladys Wishart (Bud), Bernice Foth, Ervin Tingstad (Marilyn), and Lorraine Tingstad. She will also be terribly missed by her sons Byron Hammond, Douglas Hammond, and Wayne Hammond (Marianne), her granddaughters Erika Hammond and Kirsten Hammond, and her dear friend Shirley Larsen.

Our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Kamloops Senior Village – many of whom considered Irene to be their ‘favourite’ resident. Your kindness and compassion will not be forgotten.Rest now, Mom. A Celebration of Life will be held on January 4^th 2019 at 12:00 in the Kamloops Funeral Home 285 Fortune Dr.