Mary (Reimer) Hamm

Mom was born in rural Mexico and that’s where her adventure started. Because they lived far away from town, grandpa didn’t get in to register the birth of his new daughter until a few weeks later. And instead of paying a penalty for a late registration, he just registered a different date. As a result, mom’s official birthdate became October 10 which she only realized when it came time to apply for her pensions and had to send away for an official birth certificate. Mom emigrated to Canada (BC’s Fraser Valley) with her family in her late teens. They later relocated to northern BC for opportunities in the logging industry.

Mom met our dad when he was working in the area as well and followed him back to southern Manitoba where she worked as a nurses aide. They married on October 26, 1957 and their daughters soon followed. Her life became about raising her family, and in the midst of that there were a few major moves between southern Manitoba and northern BC. Their last move was to Penticton in October, 2012. Again, forming new friendships both from church acquaintances and mom’s golfing or Seniors Centre involvements.

Her spiritual journey was one that took her from following the traditional practices of the old order Mennonite church, to realizing her personal need of forgiveness and accepting Jesus’ gift of salvation for herself as an adult. Although verbal expression of her faith has always been hard for her, mom knew and loved God in a personal way. Her way of expression would come by way of serving others, and she had a big heart for that.

Gardening was always a huge part of her summer activities. She was proud of her harvests and putting up the family’s winter store of vegetables. Mom would carry over her green thumb to her houseplants for year-round puttering. She could bring anything that was supposed to be green back to life. Her retirement years brought opportunities to learn new things and enjoy some new hobbies. Mom and dad took up golfing and had many years of fun times with new friends in that circle. She had her last round of golf the summer before she turned 87. She crocheted and quilted and over the years — her family all received pieces of her handiwork as keepsakes.

Mom is survived by John, her husband of almost 65 years; daughters, Tina and Sara (Mel) Hamm; 2 grandsons, Greg (Whitney) Hamm and Loren (Mallory) Hamm, as well as her 5 great grandchildren, Aaron, Alexa, Riley, Levi and Evan; 6 siblings, Peter (Susan) Reimer, Helen Wall, Nettie (Dave) Teichroeb, Margaret Krahn, Annie (Steve) Weinard, and Henry (Marianne) Reimer; many nieces and nephews remain to mourn her passing.

She was predeceased by infant daughter, Maria; her parents, Abram and Katherine Reimer; and 4 siblings, Tina, Abe, Jake and John Reimer

We will remember her as an energetic and engaging wife, mom, grandma, great grandma and friend with a heart that had room for all.

A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Penticton Alliance Church.