Hazel Dorothy Hammond

Born on November 7, 1927, in Westmoreland, Jamaica, to Harry Spence and Ruth Williams, Hazel maintained close bonds with her four sisters, two brothers and many cousins. After moving to Kingston, Hazel met and married Clifford Hammond and started a family. In 1946, they migrated to Birmingham, England, where they worked and continued to grow the family before returning to Kingston in 1960 to start a shopkeeping business. Hazel immigrated to the USA in the late 1960s which paved the way for the rest of the family to immigrate and build successful lives, and which resulted in one more son. Hazel was a proud citizen of the United States while she remained deeply proud of her Jamaican heritage. She enjoyed traveling later in life, including cruises and trips to the UK, Europe, Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Hazel’s legacy spans five generations and life in three countries. She was predeceased by Clifford in 1993, and by her firstborn son, Altimond, in 1953. She is survived by her daughter, Marcia Gabriel, and six sons, Raymond, Kenneth, Everton, Stephen (Meredith), Barrington, and Laurence (Nekeshia), and one sister (Phyllis). She is also lovingly remembered by her 9 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, other extended family members, and friends.

An Episcopalian, she was a woman of quiet strength, who carried herself with dignity, peace, and compassion. Hazel will be deeply missed, and her legacy will live on in our hearts.