Longtime Chesterton
resident Donna Beth Hammond passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at
Whispering Pines Health Care Center. Donna Beth, known to many as DeBe and
to her grand and great grandchildren as Dee Dee, lived a full and rewarding
80 years. She will be missed by many.
Donna Beth was born
August 22, 1934, in Torrington, WY, the daughter of Walter and Ferne (Jones)
Hudson who both preceded her in death.
In August, 1956,
she married John Robert (Bob) Hammond in Cheyenne, WY, and shared 47 years
with Bob until his death in 2003. Donna Beth is survived by her daughter
Beth (spouse Al) Miegl of Chesterton; son Rob (spouse Lisa) Hammond of
Tampa, FL; brother Ed Hudson of Niwot, CO and sister Jean (Hudson) Jacobson
of Tacoma, WA. Donna Beth’s second daughter, Jana (Hammond) Foust, of South
Bend, IN, passed away in 2003 from cancer. Jana’s husband Andy Foust
continues to reside in South Bend, IN.
Family was always
the center of Dee Dee’s life and she has been blessed with six grandchildren
and six great-grandchildren. Dee Dee’s grandchildren are Jon Miegl of
LaPorte, IN; Jenna (Miegl) Severin of Aurora, CO; Erin Foust of LaPorte, IN;
Ryan Foust of Lafayette, IN; Lauren Hammond of Lawrence, KS; and Chris
Hammond of Tampa, FL.
Donna Beth was a
graduate of Cheyenne High School and held Bachelors and Masters Degrees in
Education from the University of Wyoming and Purdue University,
respectively. Donna Beth also attended Cottey College in Nevada, MO. Donna
Beth was a great teacher first in Gary, IN; later running her own preschool
and then returning to the classroom at Jackson and Brummitt elementary
schools in the Duneland School District. Donna Beth loved to teach and often
shared what a thrill it was when kids learned to read. One of Donna Beth’s
favorite sayings was, “You are never alone when you have a good book.”
Donna Beth had many
friends and a lifelong love for gardening and music. DeBe was a long-time
member of the Chesterton Garden Club, YMCA Board, Chesterton United
Methodist Church choirs and Tri Kappa, along with numerous other events and
charities.
Funeral services,
Pastor Scott Tyring officiating, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 25,
at First United Methodist Church, 434 S. 2nd St., Chesterton. Interment will
be at Chesterton Cemetery.
The family will
receive friends from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, at White-Love Funeral Home,
525 S. 2nd St. Chesterton.