Francesmary Dolores McAvoy Hammill was born at home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 1, 1923 to Robert and Theresa McAvoy. She completed the primary grades at St James Parochial school in Philadelphia and was very proud of receiving the American Legion Medal in the eighth grade. She was in the first graduating class of Little Flower High School for Girls in Philadelphia. Later in life, after raising seven children she subsequently entered Farleigh Dickenson University in New Jersey and received her BA Degree.
Always athletic, she was a competitive swimmer, diver, and gymnast; aspects of which she continued well into middle age along with golfing and competitive bridge. She married James F. Hammill, M.D. in 1942 having met him in the sixth grade. She was a charter member of the National Women in the Arts as well as a member of the American Association of University Women. She and her husband moved to Helena, Montana eight years ago to be near her family after enjoying an active retirement in Savannah, Georgia.
Francesmary is survived by her younger sister Dea Monroe and her younger brother Robert McAvoy both of Pennsylvania. She is also survived by her husband James F. Hammill, M.D. and seven children: James F. Hammill (Patricia) Montana City, Joan Glassner (Norman Glassner, M.D.) New Jersey, Hunter Hammill, M.D. (Bobbie) Texas, Alice Holahan (John) New Jersey, Vivian Hammill (Linda Sandman) Helena, MT, Eileen Reeve (Gus) Florida, and Patricia Sabo (Steven) New Jersey.
She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Francesmary was a member of the Cathedral of St. Helena Parish.
The family will begin receiving friends at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at noon, Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at the Cathedral of St. Helena. Rite of Committal will be in the Columbarium Niche at Resurrection Cemetery.
Anyone wishing to make a donation in her memory may do so to the charity of their choice or to St. Labre Indian School, 1000 Tongue River Road, Ashland, MT 59003. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family condolences or share a memory of Francesmary.
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MarieTobin says
To: Jim and Pat
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family at this time. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you. May God be with you, granting you peace and comfort.
Your friends,
Jeff and Marie Tobin
T. Kelly says
Please accept my sincere condolences. May you be comforted by the hope found in God’s Word, the Bible, which promises that one day the earth will be a place free of pain, mourning, sickness and death (Revelation 21:4). These words were written to bring comfort to people and I hope that they bring you a measure of comfort and help you to cope during these most difficult days.