Ann Shaver Hammer

Ann Shaver Hammer of Loblolly Bay, Hobe Sound, FL, passed away on February 17, 2025. She was 86 years old.

Ann was born June 1, 1938 In Minneapolis, MN, to Virginia and Craig Shaver, and grew up in nearby Wayzata. She loved Wayzata and deeply valued her Minnesota roots.

Ann’s idyllic childhood was spent on Lake Minnetonka, sailing, swimming across the lake to her friend Mimi’s house, and ice skating in the winter. As a result she had a lifelong love of lakes, and always felt happiest when near the water. Having four athletic brothers, golf, diving, and all things athletic and outdoorsy filled her days. Her beloved band at Wayzata High fostered her deep appreciation for music, and she became an accomplished flute player.

Ann excelled academically, and decided to leave Minnesota for Wells College in Aurora NY, completing her degree at the University of Pittsburgh. As president of her class at Wells, she was leading a meeting when Fred Hammer went to pick her up on a blind date. He was immediately taken with her competence and they never looked back. After dating for about a year, they were married in Wayzata on November 7, 1959.

The following years were a whirlwind. Ann and Fred started their married life in Pittsburgh with baby Virginia and then the moves and children came in quick succession. Kris, Fred IV (Sam), and Becky came along with moves to Mineola NY, Reston VA, Bethesda MD, Pelham NY, South Bend IN, Brussels Belgium, Ridgewood NJ, Philadelphia, and Wayne PA. Ann managed the moves with competence and good cheer, quickly making friends, volunteering, and creating a happy home and community wherever she went. Their Beaver Lake NJ cottage reunited her with great old friends and lake living, and became a rollicking summer haven for her seven grandchildren Charlie, Kelly, Jane, Cricket, Freddie, Gus and Artie. After many years, Beaver Lake was swapped for Manchester VT, and the fun continued .

Ann’s breadth and depth of talents was astonishing, and a continued source of inspiration. Music was a constant thread no matter where she lived; she earned a Magna Cum Laude Music degree from the University of Indiana, ran and sang in choirs and wrote several compositions, all while raising the 4 kids. She was particularly proud of her wonderful piano students in Ridgewood, and celebrated their successes as her own. Her athleticism also shone through throughout her life. Golf gave her many hours of joy and she excelled at it, winning Merion and Loblolly club championships! Whether on her daily bike ride, tending her riotous Vermont garden or walking for miles, she was always on the move. Her mastery of sewing came to the rescue time and time again. Ann was also a talented artist with distinctive taste, and her paintings are coveted artifacts of her colorful life.

Ann and Fred joined Loblolly in 1987 and came to love the community as their home. Between success on the golf course, harmonizing with the Loblolly Singers, championing the Hobe Sound Community Chest, and playing cards, Ann embraced with gusto all that Loblolly offers. Her involvement with the Banner Lake community was particularly rewarding for her, and she cherished her friendships with the children there.

Ann, or “Maymar” as she was affectionately known by her family, was a special person who defies easy definition. She embodied her values of modesty, hard work, and cheerfulness completely. She was warm-hearted, down-to-earth, self-deprecating, straightforward, and had a sparkling, original elan that was completely unique. She was a favorite of a wide range of people, and will be sorely missed by the many whose lives she touched.

Ann is predeceased by her parents, and brothers Craig and Bayard. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Fred, of Hobe Sound, children Virginia, Kris (Hugh), Sam (Sarah), Becky (Matt), brothers Stuart (Sue) and Jim (Nancy) and grandchildren Charlie (Cece), Kelly, Jane, Cricket, Freddy, Gus, and Artie. She was incredibly proud of and delighted in her children, in-laws, and grandchildren.

Everyone is welcome to a Celebration of Life, held at Peace Presbyterian Church, 4881 SE Cove Rd., Stuart, FL, at 3pm on Friday, March 21, followed by a 4pm ice cream social at the Loblolly Bay Pool Pavilion.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Hobe Sound Community Chest https://hobesoundcommunitychest.org/