MARGARET HAMMAN

1913 - 2010

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of a dear mother, Margaret Elizabeth “Bessie” Hamman, on Monday, August 2, 2010 at the age of 96 years.
A private family burial service will be held at the Taber Memorial Garden on Saturday, August 7, 2010.
She will be lovingly remembered by her children Catherine Howe of Lethbridge, Dr. William (Laraine) Hamman of Lethbridge, Bette Jo Kulak of Lethbridge and Cameron (Susan) Hamman of Red Deer. Bessie is also survived by her grandchildren Sharon (David) Salm, Sandra (Greg) Dargis, Darren (Shianne) Hamman, Stephanie (Chad) Slee, Sarah-Jane Kulak, Karina, Jennifer and Brendan Hamman. She was also blessed with nine great grandchildren Veronica, Xavier and Morrison Salm; Charles and Rebecca Dargis; Matthew and Alex Hamman; Naomi and Maya Slee.
She was predeceased by her loving husband Charles Gordon Hamman on May 18, 1987; parents George and Sarah Redel Sr., son David Arthur; sisters Vera Barton and Kathleen Michael; brother George Redel Jr.
Bessie was born in Taber on December 4, 1913, the daughter of George and Sarah Redel Sr. She was a devote member of the United Church and belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star and the I.O.D.E. (Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire). Bessie attended Calgary Normal School from 1931 to 1932. She taught for twenty seven years, beginning her career in a one-roomed school and later moved into the Town of Taber schools. Bessie dedicated her life to family, church, school, music and friends. Her grandchildren enjoyed the stories she told of the early days and amazed all with the poetry she could recite by rote from her school days. She enjoyed reading and was especially partial to keeping up on political changes and events. Mom witnessed an era of exciting world-wide changes from her pioneer days and often remarked how she marveled at the advancements in education, medicine, aviation and communication. Bessie was a woman of immense strength and generosity. She was a role model, mentor and matriarch though her deep, genuine humility would never have permitted her to think this of herself. Bessie measured her value in the world by the quality of people she knew to be her friends. Pure and true in spirit, mother was known for her common sense and she served as regular counsel and confidant to family and friends. Her warm smile, kind spirit and frequent laughter enveloped all those in her presence. She drew people to her with her wit and joy, and kept them close with her love and commitment.
Our family is most thankful and grateful for the loving care she received from the staff at St. Terese Villa over the last couple of years. We are also indebted to Dr. Julian Raphael as her family doctor and the nurses on the fifth floor of the Chinook Regional Hospital for helping to maintain her dignity and keeping her comfortable in the days of her final journey.