Maria G. (Sedlatschek) Hammond

HURON – Maria G. Hammond, 90.

Mom’s 7 ½ year wish to be reunited with Dad came true on September 11, 2020. 

Although Mom never contracted COVID-19, we have no doubt the necessary and understandable pandemic restrictions on nursing home visitation contributed to her rapid decline over the past several months. We are thankful her journey is complete.

Mom was born November 10, 1929 to Amalie (Schmid) and Ludwig Sedlatschek in Kronau, Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia, and grew up in nearby Zwittau along with her younger brother Gerhard. 

As Germans living in Czechoslovakia, they were forcibly removed from their home after World War II and sent as refugees to Germany.   This traumatic experience was fate at work, for it was in Germany she later met Dad who was stationed at Wiesbaden Air Base.  They married in 1955 and after completing 5 years in the Air Force, Dad brought Mom to Huron, Ohio in the United States.   Once again, it was a new and unknown country for Mom.  She learned English with Dad’s help, and (much to her dismay, but to the delight of everyone who heard her speak), she never lost her enduring German accent.   Mom became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1966.

Mom was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Huron. She worked over 20 years for Huron City Schools.  She helped keep Shawnee and then Woodlands School clean, and also worked in the lunch room.  Mom and Dad both had a strong work ethic. They led a simple life and appreciated all they earned or were given.  Mom kept an immaculate home, had beautiful plants, cooked home-made meals, and even ironed her handkerchiefs.  There were plenty of home-made desserts and we ate (frozen) Christmas cookies well into July.  Mom and Dad always had a garden, fruit trees, and berry bushes so they were always canning or freezing something.  

Mom loved children, especially babies.  It is hard to find the words to describe the love she had for her two granddaughters and new great-grandson.

After Dad died in 2013, Mom enjoyed puzzle books, playing Scrabble, and coloring.  She was still making home-made bread and her own raspberry and peach jellies up until age 89.  Mom developed an interest in current events as well.  Her childhood experience as a displaced person fostered great empathy for refugees of war, famine, and other disasters.  She also became interested in politics.  Again, her childhood during the Nazi regime and the truths she learned years later about it gave her a unique perspective on the current US administration.  She described the similarities as “someone who pretends to care about the people, but really just cares about his own power.”  No doubt, she regrets not being able to cast her vote this November. 

Mom was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years Fred R. Hammond in 2013, a daughter Gabriela in infancy, her parents Amalie and Ludwig Sedlatschek, and her brother Gerhard Sedlacek. 

She was the best Mom to daughter Tanja and son-in-law Tim Wrenn, Monroeville, and daughter Patty and son-in-law Stuart James, Huron.  She was a proud and loving Omi to grand-daughter Natalie James Dunlap and her husband C.J, and to grand-daughter Adrienne James, all of Sandusky.  She was an adoring Gromi (“great-Omi”) to great-grandson Dorian James Dunlap.  She was Tante Ria to 2 nieces and a nephew and their families in Germany.  And she was Aunt Maria to several nieces and nephews and their families here in the United States.  Mom is also survived by special sister-in-law Marian Hammond Howland.

In the interest of safety, her family has opted to practice pandemic precautions and there will be no service or calling hours.   Mom was never one to draw attention to herself and she would have hated this obituary, but with no service, this seemed the best way to honor her life. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Erie County CASA Program, 111 E. Shoreline Drive, Sandusky, to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, or to one’s favorite charity.

Foster Funeral Home, Huron, is in entrusted with arrangements and on-line condolences may be shared at www.fosterfh.com.

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