MARIE LOUISE HAMMOND 2/28/23 - 2/16/16 Twelve days shy of her ninety-third birthday, Marie Hammond passed away peacefully on February 16, 2016 surrounded by her devoted Caregivers in Portland, OR. The family is deeply appreciative of the O'Brian's (Maxima Foster Care) and Hospice Nurse Carol for the thoughtful and compassionate care they provided. Born in Spokane, Washington in 1923, the oldest daughter of immigrant parents John Van Hees (The Netherlands) and Irmgard Otto (Germany), Marie was the oldest daughter of four children. She spent many hours with her siblings Raymond, John and Virginia working and playing on the family farm. Always a tomboy, she enjoyed physical activities with her brothers, and competed with them in tennis, snow skiing, swimming, and ice skating. While attending Washington State College in Pullman, Marie joined the Pi Beta Phi sorority, and met Dick Hammond, a handsome engineering student who was employed part time as a server in the sorority's dining room. They were married in 1943. During the next five years the newlyweds lived in Schenectady, NY and Colfax, WA where Dick completed a Master's degree and the couple welcomed a daughter and a son. An engineering position at the Hanford nuclear facility resulted in a move to Richland, WA., where two more daughters were added to the family. Marie embraced the challenges of raising children, preparing nutritious meals, growing and canning food, educating her children about the importance of helping others, and exposing them to music, drama and art. Her optimistic, adventurous attitude was contagious. She was a talented, tireless gardener and loved playing in the soil, transplanting trees, plants, and being surrounded by nature. She and Dick spent countless hours playing tennis and she competed in several tournaments in Eastern Washington. Always active, the family enjoyed numerous camping adventures and trips to the ocean, and Marie and Dick hiked and climbed with the local InterMountain Alpine Club throughout the Pacific Northwest. Her love of music drew Marie to participate in the Richland Light Opera Club as well as the Community Concert Association. She taught piano, and continued to maintain a beautiful garden as well as a welcoming home. She taught herself typing and shorthand and accepted a secretarial position at Battelle. Within a few years she left her desk job and obtained her real estate license. After more than 30 years of marriage, she and Dick divorced. Marie bought a home in Kennewick, designed and nurtured another beautiful garden, and purchased the Richland Newcomers Club. When an opportunity arose, Marie moved to Hermiston, Oregon where she owned and operated a nursery along the Umatilla River. After many adventures on the Plant Farm, Marie responded to an advertisement in the Personal column of a local rural newspaper, and moved to Gold Beach, OR to begin a new adventure with Ed McQuade, a retired engineer. For more than 20 years they were soul mates, sharing a life on the coast and a love of laughter, spirited conversation, travel, reading and playing bridge. Marie designed a home overlooking Garrison Lake in Port Orford, OR, within walking distance of the ocean, and planted a garden among the trees, with her devoted cat LK by her side. Upon Ed's untimely death in 2014 Marie's health deteriorated but she continued living in her home with the capable assistance and dedication of Caregivers Bobbi and Michelle and Roxanne. Loyal friends Lee, Jean, Elaine and many others visited Marie often and kept the bridge games going, while sharing lively conversation, books, and enjoying the garden. During the past year mobility became more difficult for Marie without assistance. This, and other health issues caused her to reluctantly leave her comfortable home and relocate to an assisted living residence in Portland, not far from her oldest daughter Marilou, in Vancouver. Though she was unable to garden, it was important for Marie to keep her mind occupied and active. Either a bird feeder needed to be refilled, bridge snacks provided, or she was ready for her non-fiction book supply to be replenished. She continued to make lists of her 'to do's and goals, and expected her wishes be fulfilled per her standards. Fortunately she was blessed with a wonderful, loyal group of friends and a devoted daughter. Marie is survived by her children Marilou Davis (Tony), Dick Hammond (Nadine), Nancy Montano (Jim), and Linda Amoroso, as well as grandchildren Dean, Gary, Michael, Karen, Michelle, Samantha, and numerous great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Hospice in Curry County, Oregon or Hospice in Portland. At a future date Marie's ashes will be scattered at Sunset Gardens in Richland, WA where a private family gathering will be held.