Abington, Pennsylvania
Funerals
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Saving Safe Haven
This is in memory of Patricia Hammer who just recently passed on July 4th, 2017
The Hammer family moved into their home in 1977. Ronald Hammer and Patricia lived in the home with their five kids. Ronald was a hardworking man from a very young age. He bought his youngest son a guitar, which remains a passion to this day. He had worked at Howard's auto repair in Willow Grove for many years always providing excellent service to customers. He provided for his family until 1985 when he suffered a brain aneurysm. After recovery, he was never quite the same, but continued to work for many years until he discovered he had diabetes which eventually led to a wheelchair bound life. He had since had troubles paying bills. His children helped as much as they could, but their efforts always fell short.
Her youngest son's children were very close to both Patricia and Ronald. Ronald taught Jarred, one of his grandchildren to play chess. He held onto the game throughout his student life, joining the chess team at the Abington High school. In 2002, Patricia suffered a minor stroke which left her partially immobile on her left side, but still able to perform most normal duties. She had always wanted to travel with family, but was then incapable of doing so comfortably. No longer able to bowl, she had to quit her team. Ronald wanted the house to be a legacy, to remain in the family. In 2010 Ronald Hammer passed away from kidney and liver failure, which heavily affected the family, but especially his wife, Patricia.
Some of their children remained to help Patricia with the bills due to the loss of income. Accumulating debt cast a shadow over the house, putting enormous pressure on Patricia. With most of her children struggling with their own financial problems, they were unable to help as much as they should have. To suppress the burden of the financial situation, she thought a reverse mortgage would help, but in the process relinquishing the legacy that it could have been. The debt piled up to over $200,000 after interest. Despite the conditions, she remained a generous person. Through her struggles she continued to help the unfortunate and socialize with strangers. She loved to play in the various bingo halls she frequented, often with her grandchildren, trying to stay a positive glue that holds the family as one.
Two of her grandsons, Jarred and Damien were always with her from their beginnings. Evolving together, she was always proud of their accomplishments. They would play video games for her so that she could experience as much joy as she gave to the world. Most recently, Jarred had just graduated from high school, and had left for a week to travel to California in order to compete in the national competition, FBLA. He and his two friends placed sixth nationally, and returned home on July 3rd to the news about his grandmother. She had always looked forward to some of her youngest grandchildren's graduations, Jarred and Cheyenne; she was very proud of their accomplishments. With the debt a looming crisis, Patricia's youngest son and his children would love desperately to retain the legacy that was the house. The safe haven that has been in the family for more than forty years is now in jeopardy. It's not a task that the family can do alone. We ask if the world may give back some of the love that was extended from Patricia in order to retain our safe haven as a beacon of strength and courage just as Patricia Hammer was until the end.
Thank you so much for your time.
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