Vienna Gail Hammond (nee Nicholson)

Apr 19, 2023

Gail passed peacefully in her 86th year at home in the presence of her loving son Tony Hammond who was primary palliative caregiver for Mom’s final 6 months. Tony’s diligence and love were instrumental in ensuring Gail’s wish to live out her days in her own home were achieved – a truly remarkable accomplishment. A special thanks is extended to her beloved niece Jenny Kain, who assisted in providing end of life care for Gail; as well, a special thanks to her niece Lee Demerling, and to her sisters Val and Martha who spent many hours by her side during her final months. We also extended a special thank you to Dr. Sandra Cowan, Jessica, Valerie, Marvin, Christie, Megan, and the entire South Frontenac Home Palliative Care Team.

Predeceased by her husband William Robert and her brothers Neil and Mike. Survived by her children Tim, Annette, Tony, and Clinton (Meryem), her grandchildren Daria, Shyenne and Robert Cameron and her ever-loving sisters Val and Martha.

Gail’s childhood was spent in Hamilton, Ontario which is also where she met and married Bill Hammond and where she began her teaching career. A hugely popular teacher, Gail left an indelible mark on many of her students, some of whom remained in contact with her to the end. Gail left teaching to open a business with her sister Martha, after which Gail retired to her sanctuary – her cottage in Godfrey, Ontario. In between, were trips to Paris, London (to indulge her love of tennis at Wimbledon), Bermuda, Banff, and Hamilton, but Gail always returned to her slice of paradise on Buck Bay. In this beautiful nature setting, Gail, a lover of all animals, also welcomed and cared for many four-legged friends.

In June 1977, much to the surprise of various nieces and nephews, for whom Aunty Gail had achieved favourite aunt status, Gail and Bill adopted 4 children ages 4, 5 and 6, providing phenomenal lifelong love and care and forever changing their lives. The worries of Lee, Vaughn, Mark, Dan, Joe, Andy, Allan, Jen, Jacqui, Anne, Nancy, Dan, Will, Sue, Janet, Chris, Donna-Lee, and Hugh were soon allayed as it became obvious this extraordinary woman had the capacity to maintain favoured aunt status even in motherhood - a capacity that extended to grand nephews and nieces and great-grand nephews and nieces more numerous by the years.

Her infectious laugh is fondly remembered by Meryem, John, Nancy, Olivia, Connie, Gordie, Ruth, Lauren, Melissa, Bonnie, Laura-Lee, Anita, Suzanne, Gary, Lindy and a multitude of others who were fortunate enough to share time (and a beer or two) with this amazing woman.

A very special thank you to all those who made the time for a trip or phone call during Gail’s last months to let Gail know how much she was loved and appreciated. Online condolences, memories and funny stories can be shared at www.goodfellowsfuneralhome.com. A celebration of life will be held in the summer.