Ida Pellandini Hammond passed away on April 21, 2009, in Pine Grove, Calif., due to complications of a recent stroke. Nearly 97 years of age, she passed away peacefully in her sleep.
Ida was born August 10, 1912, in Ceres, California, to Louis and Marie Pellandini. She spent most of her life in Sonoma, California, graduating from Sonoma High School, Class of 1931. It is believed that Ida was the last surviving member of that graduating class. Ida eventually met and married Friend B. “Shorty” Hammond in 1938 and they made their home in Sonoma. Ida worked various jobs during her younger years. The most notable jobs were her waitress positions at The Swiss Hotel and Cuce’s Restaurant, picking fruit and vegetables at Cassidy’s and Batto Farms, and 14 years at California Fasteners. Her most important job was a loving mother to her three children, wife to her husband and sister to her five siblings.
Throughout her long and rewarding life, Ida enjoyed doing many different things. She always found it special to be able to say that she walked across the Golden Gate Bridge before it opened in 1937. Later, she cherished spending time with her family, grandchildren and eventually her great-grandson. Over the years there were many R.V. camping and fishing trips, clam digging at the coast and crab feeds at home. She always looked forward to road trips to see family in Washington state. She had a passion for music and dancing (yes, Mom, you can “Dance with Dolly with the Hole in her Stocking” any time) and could be seen gardening daily at her home of 50+ years on Newcomb Street well into her eighties. The last 12 years of her life were spent splitting time between Pine Grove, Calif. and Friday Harbor, Wash. at the homes of her daughters Jean Francis and Mary Hammond.
Ida is preceded in death by her husband, Shorty, her son, Howard, her brothers, Louis, William and Albert Pellandini and her sisters, Lena Giacopazzi and Annie Basch. Ida is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Mel Francis of Pine Grove, daughter, Mary Hammond of Friday Harbor, daughter-in-law, Freda Gipson, cousin Elenor LaFrancki, grandchildren Jeannine Sommers, Charlotte Hammond, Roxanne Worrell, Rich Francis, Mark Vroman and Jeremy Vroman and great-grandchildren Josh Sommers, Holly Gale, Michael and Steven Worrell, Paige and Cassidy Francis, Te-Anna, Dylan, Gavin and Ailianka Vroman. Ida leaves numerous nieces and nephews, as well.
In lieu of a memorial, please make a donation in the name of Ida Hammond to your local hospice or charity. Thanks to all of the wonderful family and friends that filled her life and made it rich with love. Go dance, Mom!
Carlton Linroot Nelson passed away peacefully at home in Sonoma on Friday afternoon, April 17, 2009. Carlton was born in Kiron, Iowa on March 17, 1918. He was 91 years old. Carlton moved to San Francisco as a young boy with his mom and two brothers, Joseph and Merrill, who have all preceded him in death.
Carlton graduated from Balboa High School, San Francisco, in 1936. He attended Bethel Lutheran Church and it was there that he met his wife of 69 years, Doris J. Kramp. They met while in Sunday School at Bethel and married there on May 5, 1940. Following school he went to work at Pacific Metals in San Francisco, and later on to a second career at Wisnom’s Builders Hardware in San Mateo, Calif.
In addition to his wife Doris, Carlton is survived by four children: Gail Nelson Poling and her husband Paul of Redding, Calif; Karen Nelson of San Mateo; Mark Nelson and his wife Linda of Hennessey, Okla. and Pamela Nelson of Sonoma.
The surviving family also includes grandchildren P. Adam Poling and his wife Yvette; Patty Poling; Christopher Nelson, Sharon Nelson Criddle and her husband Gary, Ann Nelson, Steven Nelson and great-grandchildren Savannah Poling, Ryan Rogers, Evan and Noah Criddle. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.
Carlton was an Eagle Scout, an avid bowler for over 30 years and enjoyed swimming very much. He was very active in his church choir, his strong tenor voice was a great gift all enjoyed. Carlton lived in San Francisco and San Mateo for over 30 years and in 2002 he and Doris moved to Merrill Gardens Retirement Community in Sonoma. At Merrill Gardens he grew to know everyone’s name and he participated in Bingo and the Poetry Reading Group. This loving man will be missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service is planned for May 5, 2009, at 1 p.m. in the afternoon, Grace Lutheran Church at 2825 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Donations in memory of Carlton may be made to Hospice by the Bay; 190 W. Napa St., Sonoma 95476, to Guide Dogs for the Blind, P.O. Box 3950; San Rafael, Calif. 93912, or to the charity of your choice.
We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the acts of kindness, messages of sympathy and floral offerings received from our Mom, Rena Novo’s family, friends and lodge members. We especially want to thank the Reverend Stephen Canny, Reverend Michael Kelly, The Sons of Italy, The Moose Lodge and the Women of the Moose, Italian Catholic Federation, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sirs and the Golden Age and the staff at Duggan’s Mission Chapel.
Your kindness was much comfort
and we will be forever grateful.
The Katherine “Rena” Nova’s family,
Alberta Jerro, and Loretta Johnstone.
