Sara "Sally" Lou Hammond

HAMMOND, Sara Lou "Sally"
of Galesburg, Michigan

Sara Lou (Schliess) Hammond passed peacefully September 5, 2020. Sally, the fourth of five sisters, was born December 10, 1937 to Edna (White) and Edward Schliess. On February 4th, 1956 she was united in marriage to Richard (Dick) Hammond who survives.

Everyone who knew Sally remembers her easy smile, dry wit, her kindness and her generosity. She learned the joy of giving early when, with her sisters, she would sing Christmas carols in German to the P.O.W.s confined at Fort Custer. Her generosity continued throughout her life, manifesting creatively in the form of handmade Halloween costumes, ceramic pieces, quilts and blankets. She also composed many poems for special occasions honoring family, friends and co-workers.

Sally was a dedicated employee of Borgess Medical Center for 31 years as the payroll coordinator, serving on or chairing committees throughout her career. She was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and gave her time to the Society of St. Vincent DePaul. She enjoyed golf, bowling, travelling with Dick (more often than not), and after retiring, spending summers "at home" and winters in Florida. Sally had a soft spot for strays, be they two or four-legged; any and all were welcomed warmly into the family as if they had always belonged. There was a special place in her heart for Murphy and Nada Purebred. She LOVED Christmas and was the hub of all family celebrations, including the annual Easter Egg Hunt that she meticulously organized for her grandchildren. Also, it must be noted that the countless treasures from her garage sale adventures have since become myth and legend among her descendants.

Along with her husband she is survived by her children, Gina (Ken) Thomas, Mike (Allison) Hammond, Bill (Lisa) Hammond, Leo Hammond and Beth (Ron) Reisterer, her grandchildren Ben (Joy) Reisterer, Tom (Rachel) Reisterer, Nick (Samantha) Reisterer, Ian (Haylee) Thomas, and Zack Thomas, Lily (Kaylee) Rose, Paul Hammond, Alia Hammond and George Hammond, 4 great grandchildren (Jade, Reed, Clay and Ben), her sisters, Kay Brooner, Peggy Bradford, Vicki Clark and dozens of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Jean Bradford.

The family would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to the staff of Bronson Commons for the care they provided for Sally, for being with her when we could not.

To honor Sally, the family suggests giving smiles to strangers, a home to a stray, and gifts of the heart whenever you can. Donations may be made to the Society of St. Vincent DePaul.

A private Funeral will be held on Friday, September 18th at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Please visit Sally's personalized web page to sign her online guest book and leave a condolence or message for her family at https://www.langelands.com