2 weeks Ago
Birth: 1937 Death: 2024 On Thursday, November 6, 2024, Mary Elizabeth Hammer passed away after a brief illness. Mary was born in San Francisco, California to Charles and Claire Mehan. She grew up an only child in Alameda, where she went to Sacred Heart High School and then on to Berkeley Following graduation, she traveled abroad to teach in Germany, where she met her husband, Joe, of 58 years.
Following their marriage and after finishing their teaching service in 1965, they moved to California to make a home in the San Lorenzo Valley, their favorite place in the world. They adopted two children, Eric and Lisa, and Mary spent time teaching in the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District. Some of Mary’s former students live in the SLV with their children, and remember her fondly.
Eventually, Mary left teaching to focus on family. However, she also began an active life in the San Lorenzo Valley community, from working on the Save the River Foundation to getting involved in local political campaigns. She was a champion for the environment and the underserved in her community.
People were drawn to work with her because of her positive approach to any challenge, and her unfailing ability to find the strength and goodness in each person she encountered. Among many interests, Mary was an avid bike rider, camper, hiker, reader, and environmentalist. She loved being with family and friends.
She helped found the Valley Women’s Club, was the founder of Mountain Community Resources, and was an integral part of the San Lorenzo Valley Community in an endless number of ways for over 55 years. Mary loved to laugh, was always kind, and was constantly driven to help others. She was one of those rare individuals who is truly good, all the way to the core of her being.
The loss of this amazing light of The Valley will be felt profoundly, and so will her presence as its guardian angel. Mary was very excited to go see her “Joey” in her final hours. She is survived by her children, Eric and Lisa, and her grandchildren, Ruby, Charlie, and Nicole.
In place of flowers or gifts, please consider donating to Mountain Community Resources, the non-profit organization she founded to help the San Lorenzo Valley she loved so much. Honor with Flowers In memory of Mary Elizabeth Plant a Living Memorial In memory of Mary Elizabeth.
