Ruth A. "Chris" Hammer
November 15, 1932 - February 2, 2013
Obituary
Beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed peacefully in her sleep on February 2, 2013.
Chris was born on November 15, 1932 in Maplewood, N.J., to Dr. and Mrs. William Huber. She attended Boston University – Sargent College, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Chris then worked for a number of years as a Physical Therapist at the University of Michigan Medical Center, where she met her future husband, Dr. Charles Hammer, whom she married in 1958.
Chris and Charlie moved to Seattle in 1960 where Charlie worked as a Dermatologist at the Virginia Mason Medical Center. After 11 years, they settled on Mercer Island where they raised their four children.
Chris was an avid tennis player at the Mercer Island Country Club, an active member of the Women’s University Club, Arboretum Club and the Paul Pigott/Children’s Hospital Guild. She enjoyed her family and friends, travelling, skiing and spending time at their second home on Orcas Island.
Chris will be dearly missed by her husband of 54 years, her son Chuck (Elisabeth) of Monroe, New Hampshire, son Bill (Jim) of Newport Shores, daughter Cindy Baker (Dave) of Mercer Island, daughter Lynda Hamilton (Brooke) of Mercer Island and her ten grandchildren.
A private service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Virginia Mason Medical Foundation, Children’s Hospital, American Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice.
Dear Chris,
I liked you from the moment we met. I can never thank you enough for welcoming me into the family like I was your own son. You were the perfect mother in law; always interested and supportive but never intrusive.
You offered me needed reminders to slow down and recognize the simple beauty in everyday life. I can still hear: “Look at this poinsettia Dave; it’s such a pretty red”. “Dave, do you see how the ferry boat is lighting up the water?” I’ll continue to hear your voice when I see those, and many other things.
Not wanting to become a burden, you quietly slipped away one recent night. While it would have been nice to have time for a more formal “goodbye”, there could never have been enough time for us to adequately express how much we love you and how much we’ll miss you.
Good bye for now, Chris.
Love,
Dave
Charlie,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family for the loss of your beloved Chris. May a loving God wrap his arms around all of you as He has wrapped them around Chris. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, and remember your wife, mother and grandmother as an outstanding woman.
Margie Perdue
Charlie, Chuck, Bill, Cindy, Lynda- We feel so fortunate to have had you and Chris as part of our lives since coming to the Northwest. She was always a source of joy and energy, always bringing cheer to any group or activity. We know she will be missed, but we are all so fortunate to have had her with us for so long.
Our fondest thoughts,
Mike and Bobby
We are so sorry to learn about the loss of Chris. She was such a dear and lovely lady. Carol and Chris spent many hours together skiing and playing tennis. Our thoughts and hearts are with Charlie and their family.
Carol and Chuck
Chris, we all will miss your warm welcome to Charlie’s string quartet that you helped host at your home for 27 years. Your death came as a shock to us, and we will miss you greatly. Love, Ed
Bill,
We briefly knew your mother, but our impression of her was that she was quite lovely and warm. We are thinking of you.
Love,
Judith & Ken
Bill, we are so sorry for you and your family. We know she must have been a great woman because she raised such a great kid. Hugs.
Jeff and John
I send my condolences to Charlie and his family. I never heard Chris say anything negative about anybody. Chris always had something positive to say. She was a wonderful friend. I will miss her Dearly. Love Bill
Chris, We will miss you= play tennis with the angels. Charley , our thoughts and prayers are with you; All our love Doug and Leena
My dear Charlie, Chuck, Bill, Cindy, Lynda,
We are very saddened by the news of your mother’s death. She was so special, full of love, warmth and wisdom.
God bless you all in this time of loss and sorrow.
With love,
Barbara & Dick
Chris and I shared many memories raising our daughters. She was a dear friend. Greg and I will miss her greatly!
Our love to the family,
Greg & Nancy Draper
Mac and I feel priviledged to have been one of Chris’s many friends and to have known and enjoyed Chris both on Mercer Island and Orcas Island. We have fond memories of many get-togethers as couples playing tennis and afterwards enjoying a gourmet potluck dinner together. Jenna has many wonderful skiing memories with Chris and also skiing Whistler with the families. One unforgettable memory is an invitation by Chris and Charlie to their Orcas Island home where we anchored our chartered boat in Grindstone Harbor and later bought a home near Chris and Charlie. Chris was a great friend with a ready smile, wonderful wit and lots of enthusiasm. Over the forty plus years we knew Chris, Mac and I enjoyed many wonderful parties at the Hammers home.
Charlie and family,
We now just learned of your loss of a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Although we have been away from Mercer Island for 24 years, the 20 we sent on Mercer Island raising our children were the best and enhanced by the friendships of friends like Chris. Together we supported our girls through 10 years of Camp Fire Girls and their activities and Bob and Charlie worked together through many challenges at Virginia Mason. We will remember her as a quiet, caring, humble and intelligent woman who was a fierce competitor on the tennis court and a strong supporter of her husband, children and friends. Although we have been away, we will miss her yet knowing she is still watching over us all. Our deep sympathy at the passing of a wonderful woman.
Love, Bob and Carolyn
As a member of Charlie’s string quartet, I always looked forward to Chris’s enthusiastic welcome when we played at their house. She was welcoming and always interacted with us as we ate after playing. I felt sorry for her when she had to stop playing tennis because I knew how important it was for her. She always showed good grace when the quartet notes were a bit off! She will be missed by all of us, and Pat and I offer heartfelt sympathy to Charlie.
We have appreciated your presents over years especially when our daughter Patrice was growing up.
Lynda & family,
Although I haven’t seen your mother in many years, I will always remember her big smile and gracious manner. She always made me feel so welcomed and a part of your special family. Her kind and gentle spirit is evident in you, and your children. And what a wonderful legacy that is.
Lots of love to all of you,
Jeri & Kendall
Charlie and Family,
We will always fondly remember the many anniversary and birthday celebrations we shared with you and Chris and the many times dining out and enjoying Chris’ warm and cheerful approach to life. Her often stated comment “People,isn’t this fun” always brought joy to the occasion.
Chris is deeply missed,
Pat and Bob
A wonderful lady and friend.
Dear Charlie, Chuck, Bill, Cindy, and Linda,
What a shock to hear of Chris’s passing. Both daughters Teri and Tracy, shared many memories with your family and wish to extend their personal heart felt feelings as well.
We will miss Chris’s upbeat personality and happy smile. She indeed was a wonderful person.
Our love to all,
Jim and Mary Hinchcliffe.
Dear Hammer Family
What is there to say other than I am so sorry for your loss and the empty space in the family that was always such a big part of my life growing up. Chris was a strong woman and a great mom and will be very missed.
Much love always,
Nicole
Charlie and family,
I’ll never forget the practicle jokes Chris ans I played on each other because I still have the rubber rat that she put in my bed at the Bar M. Thanks for all the great memories. Please let me know if there is going to be a service. I’d love to see everybody again and have a few more laughs.
Tom and Patti Baker
Chris was such a warm, lovely lady. I know she will be missed. She always treated me with such respect and consideration. A special woman indeed.
Fondly,
Lynne Martin
Dear Charlie: I had no idea of your big loss ! I learned about it today. What a beautiful family you have. Mercedes and I join you in your prayers for Chris,a beautiful woman.
Our love to you and yours,
Sincerely, LEO