Maria Villagomez Hamnes

Maria Villagomez Hamnes, 84, passed away on Monday, July 8, 2019. Born October 14, 1934 in Mexico City, Mexico, her parents were Senor Augustine Villagomez, an attorney and Supreme Court Justice, and Senora Maria Villagomez de Montiel, a small business owner. She also had a younger brother, Augustine, who predeceased her, in the ‘80’s. She was a very educated woman and spoke seven languages, her native tongue Spanish, as well as English, French and Portuguese. She had a successful career as a legal secretary in Mexico and assisted with translating documents from Spanish to English. Maria loved to dance and was physically active (horseback riding, swimming, skiing, etc.) until a skiing accident resulting in a back injury, affecting her for the rest of her life. She moved to the United States, in her 20’s, after her Mother passed. Two Americans, Paul Forgraves and Sally Corzen, sponsored her and became life-long friends. While single, Maria lived and worked in Washington, DC for the Inter-American Development Bank. In 1963, she married Douglas Hamnes (from Brookings, OR) who was serving in the Air Force and stationed in Biloxi, MS. They met in Mexico City while Doug was a sophomore studying a year abroad. After getting out of the service, he moved to DC and soon they got their first apartment in Arlington, VA followed by their first home in Centreville, VA. They were blessed with their first daughter, Maria Victoria, followed by their second daughter, Carla Lorraine. Doug and Maria separated and subsequently divorced in the early ‘80’s Maria worked at the Inter-American Development Bank until she retired. Not ready to leave the work force, she worked 10 years in the allergy and immunology department at Georgetown University Hospital. She loved animals and supported them through several charities as well as rescuing many from the streets and shelters. She is survived by her daughters, Maria and Carla, her son-in-laws, Joe and Josh, and her beloved Chihuahua, Bambina (aka Riblet). Maria lived her life one day at a time and had a tremendous faith in God. Her Higher Power carried her through the joyous and difficult times in her life, including her health crises. She shared this faith with her daughters and those in her life. Maria wanted the celebration of her life full of color (her favorite color was red), music (her favorite music was Elvis and Mariachi), laughter, and FUN. Please join her family and friends in remembering her as joyous, happy and free!