Sisters remembers Julia Hammond

In a handwritten workbook memoir made for her family, Julia Hammond wrote: "We owe much to those who have little."

That belief served as a watchword for Hammond during her life in Sisters. That life came to a peaceful end on Saturday, February 5, when the beloved co-founder of Sisters Habitat for Humanity died peacefully at home at the age of 88.

Julia Hammond was a beloved figure in Sisters. Her pastor, Ron Gregg of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, noted that "Julia was a substitute mother for many in our congregation."

With warmth, compassion and a beautiful smile noted by everyone who knew her, Hammond touched the lives of many people in the decades she spent in Sisters. Her husband Hort Hammond, who died in 2006, was the driving force behind the establishment of Sisters Habitat for Humanity in 1989. Julia was his "anchor" in this as in his other efforts in life and provided an important tender touch to the organization.

"Julia was Sisters Habitat's co-founder, but more, she was thought of as our affiliate's mother and grandmother," said Habitat Executive Director Sharlene Weed. "Her smile and unending positive spirit was a great inspiration to all. She was always ready to help with whatever project was at hand. After she could no longer work at the Thrift Store, she started coming to the office to help with various mailings.

"Julia was a fantastic public speaker and a great ambassador for Habitat. She also maintained personal relationships with Habitat homeowner families, and found great joy in watching the families grow and succeed."

Rick Slavkovsky, whose family received the first Habitat home in Sisters in 1992, recalled the impact of Julia's gentle spirit as they began the process of becoming homeowners.

"Hort was very much down to business, and he was quite a forceful person," he said. "I was struck because Julia was so warm. She was so bright and so tender."

Theresa Slavkovsky recalled that she was very ill when it came time to move into her new home. Julia came and made the beds so the Slavkovsky children could have their place all ready on move-in day.

Rick noted that while many people gave the family practical things that were very welcome, Julia created an artistic pine cone basket lit up with little lights to warm the house.

"She wanted our house not to be just a place where we could find shelter, but a home," he said.

It was the beginning of a deep friendship. Julia attended the Slavkovsky children's youth activities and was on hand for their graduations. She became "like a grandmother" to the

kids.

In addition to her work with Habitat, Hammond served at the Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank and participated in Lutheran World Relief.

"When she saw a need or someone in need, she took immediate action, no delay," Rick Slavkovsky said. "That was Julia."

While she's known for her humanitarianism, there was another aspect to her life that others commented on frequently.

"What's amazing beyond all her altruistic interests is her athleticism," said her friend Alan Guggenheim. "She sailed on the Chesapeake Bay as a teenager and played golf very regularly in a club of women up until just a couple of years ago."

She was a star field hockey player in school and loved hiking, swimming and cross country skiing.

She pursued these activities avidly in her retirement after a career as a teacher and counselor in Long Beach, California. (See obituary, page 5 for biographical details.)

Friendship was important to Julia. In her memory book, she wrote, "Friends have been very important to me from elementary school years on. I have been lucky to have had dear, good friends all my life."

And she leaves many dear, good friends in Sisters, who will long remember her and her husband. Hammond Place, a group of Habitat townhouses on Cowboy Place at the east end of town, was named in their honor and stands as a lasting monument to their contributions to the community.

Theresa Slavkovsky lives nearby and treasures the reminder:

"Every time I turn the corner I get to think of Hort and Julia."

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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