Altheada “Freda” Hammond
1933 – 2024
Palmer
Palmer – Altheada “Freda” (Blay) Hammond, 90, passed away February 18, 2024, at JGS Lifecare Longmeadow, MA. She was born on April 19, 1933, in Derby, VT to Raymond and Helen (Wood) Blay. Freda was raised in Vermont, moved to Palmer where she lived from 1970-2018 most of those years living on Forest Lake. In 2018, she moved to Springfield to be with her daughter, Debra.
After working 40 years as a sales/store manager for Goodwill Industries, she retired in 2000. She continued to volunteer for Goodwill well into her retirement. She was a member of New Day Church in Enfield, CT and enjoyed worship the most. She was an avid reader, enjoyed trips to Foxwoods, RV’ing the East Coast discovering lighthouses & listening to live music. If an old country song was playing, you would find Freda on the dance floor encouraging you to do the same! Above all things she loved spending time with her family & cherished friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Kevin Hammond, grandson John Lanou, Jr & sister Ruth Table. She is survived by three children, Carlene Patnaude of Bradenton, FL, Lawrence King (Susan) of Belchertown & Debra Himmen of Springfield. She leaves two grandchildren, Amy Lanou and Christopher (Tara) King and six great grandchildren, Hailey, Shyann, Aubrey, Abigail, Kodi and Bell. She also leaves many friends who became known as family.
A calling hour will be held on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, from 2:00pm-3:00pm followed by a remembrance service at 3:00pm at Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Goodwill Industries or a charity of your choice.
Published by The Republican from Feb. 20 to Feb. 21, 2024.