Obituary of Ruth I. Hammond

Ruth I. Hammond of Jamestown, passed away on Oct. 29, 2021, at the age of 100. She was born June 12, 1921, in Dewittville, NY, the daughter of the late Leo and Lucy Seekings Hammond. Ruth graduated from Bemus Point High School and focused her career on bookkeeping, working notably for Harvey Carey Drug Store, Nelson's Department Store, the S.M. Flickinger Company (13 years), and Barmore Sellstrom (13 years). She retired at the age of 68 and refocused her energies on gardening, baking pies, making fudge, and during the Christmas holidays making the best Christmas cookies and turkey casserole. Family meant everything to Ruth. Her favorite occasions were the holidays when the family would gather, share gifts, take a ride to see the Christmas lights, and everyone would enjoy the Christmas goodies that Ruth had made – turkey with stuffing, pies, cookies, and all the trimmings. Ruth enjoyed hand knitting and joined a group of ladies that met weekly to discuss and work on hand knitting projects. She spoke very warmly and appreciative of the friendship and compassion this group of ladies provided in her later years. Ruth hand knit Christmas stockings which she would personalize with each of their names. She also knit Afghans, baby layettes, and scarves. Ruth donated knitted caps for newborns to the local hospital and around the world through Operation Christmas Child. Ruth is survived by her brother, Clair (Lois) Hammond of Charlotte, NC and a sister-in-law, Ruthie Hammond. She also is survived by several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews; she was everybody's "Aunt Ruth". She was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen (Raymond) Rickerson and Esther (Durwood) Terry, and a brother, Paul Hammond. Friends and family will be received 6 to 8 PM on Friday November 5th in the Lind Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 6. Burial will be in Bemus Point Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, or to a charity of one's choice.