Mary Alice Hammond of Cape Girardeau passed away Saturday, June 24, 2023, at the Lutheran Home.
Mary was born June 7, 1941, in Buckeye, Arizona. She married Bob Hammond, her oversees Air Force pen pal, in 1960, a few months after he surprised her by showing up at her house to meet her in person. She didn't realize he lived in the next town over.
After a difficult childhood and never going anywhere, she told Bob she was going to travel, and he could come with her or stay home. Together they lived in California, Washington, Utah, Oregon, Nevada and Oklahoma. They traveled to Mexico, Canada, Texas, Florida and many other states.
They were preparing to move to Missouri, when Bob passed away in 2008. After he passed, Mary drove a U-Haul to Missouri by herself to move close to their son, Patrick, who she often joked was her retirement plan.
She lived at Cape Garden Apartments the longest she'd ever lived anywhere before begrudgingly moving into a nursing facility several months ago.
Mary worked various jobs to help support her family and her love of Bingo, including psychiatric tech, cook and apartment manager. She enjoyed playing Uno, reading, knitting and spending time with her kids and grandkids.
Mary was also preceded in death by her daughter, Sherry Deliowski.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Geske of Spokane, Washington; son, Patrick (Lisa) Hammond of Cape Girardeau; two grandsons, Steven and Jason Geske of Spokane; four granddaughters, Meggan Geske of Spokane and Isla, Sierra and Lindy Hammond of Cape Girardeau; and three great-grandchildren.
Mary did not wish to have a funeral service, but she can't complain about it now, so there will be a remembrance service in her honor at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 2, at La Croix Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Teen Challenge of Mid-America.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Crain Funeral Home.
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