Leona Rose (Rowe) Hammer
Born January 18, 1930 in Cement City, MichiganDeparted June 21, 2024 in West Melbourne, Florida
Leona Rose (Rowe) Hammer, 94, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her beloved family on June 21, 2024 in West Melbourne, Florida.
Leona was born on January 18, 1930, one of 11 children to Wilbur A. Rowe and Elizabeth A. Rowe. She graduated from Cement City High School at the age of 17 in 1947. She met and married her Husband William A. Hammer at age 18 on October 16, 1948. Together they built a life of 52 years until William passed away in September of 2000. Beyond being a dedicated wife, Leona was blessed to have three children William A. Hammer, Rachelle A. (Hammer) McNulty and Richard M. Hammer.
She was a school teacher and found immense joy working with children. She taught school overseas and in Florida. Beyond the classroom, Leona had a natural talent in golf winning tournaments and receiving many trophies. In her later years she volunteered at Holmes Regional Medical Center and Palm Bay Hospital finding fulfilment in helping others. She also enjoyed playing cards and dominos with family and friends. Leona traveled the world all throughout her life. She spent many of her retired years traveling all over with her best friend Betty Bramlett. Above all Leona was always dedicated to her family. She loved to host all the family gatherings, making sure to cook everyone’s favorite dish. Every Christmas she made trays of her famous cookies to give out to all of her family and friends.
Leona became a grandmother to her six wonderful grandchildren William R. Hammer, Richard M. Hammer Jr., Melissa A. (McNulty) Osterhout, Jennifer L. (Hammer) Lohman, Patrick A. McNulty and Brittany M. Hammer. Each of them made her proud and she loved them dearly. All of the grandkids always joked who was grandma’s favorite with each claiming to be her favorite. She would always tell them they all were her favorite. Leona was then promoted to GiGi with her eight beautiful great grandchildren Carlee Osterhout, Ryann Hammer, Jaxsen Osterhout, Austin Taylor, Emmett Osterhout, Lucas Lohman, Jace Hammer, Emery Lohman and Kason Caudill who brought immeasurable joy to her life.
She loved Jesus and was a devout Christain her whole life. She was her family’s Angel on earth who is now in heavenly peace with the Lord. Leona’s legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering faith will forever live on in the hearts of her family and all who knew her. She was precededed in death by her husband William A. Hammer; her parents Wilbur and Elizabeth Rowe along with nine of her siblings. She is survived by her three children William A. Hammer, Jr., (Teresa) Rachelle A. (Hammer) McNulty and (Keith) Richard M. Hammer; her six grandchildren William R. Hammer (Catherine), Richard M. Hammer, Jr., ( Angelina) Melissa A. (McNulty) Osterhout (Dustin), Jennifer L. (Hammer) Lohman (Greg), Patrick A. McNulty and Brittany M. Hammer. Her eight great grandchildren Carlee Osterhout, Ryann Hammer, Jaxsen Osterhout, Austin Taylor, Emmett Osterhout, Ryann Hammer, Lucas Lohman, Jace Hammer, Emery Lohman, and Kason Caudill as well as her sister Annette Stella.
The viewing will be June 29, 2024 at Brownlie Maxwell Funeral Home, 1010 E. Palmetto Avenue, Melbourne from 9am until the time of her service at 9:30am. The procession will immediately follow to Fountainhead Memorial Park for burial.