Carmel A. Hammond

Carmel Hammond, age 96, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, passed away on Friday April 17, 2026. Carmel was born in Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada to James Whiffen and Anne (Collins) Whiffen.

On November 24, 1949, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, she married Peter K. (Pete) Hammond who preceded her in death on February 10, 2007. Carmel was also preceded in death by a brother, five sisters and three sons, Garrett J. Hammond, Peter K. Hammond Mark C. Hammond and a great-grandson, Jaden Hammond. She is survived by two sons, Paul Hammond, of Doniphan, Missouri and James Hammond of Lake Worth, Florida, a daughter, Barbara (George) Spray of Ocean Breeze, Florida and a daughter-in-law, Colleen Hammond, of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Additional survivors include grandchildren, Duke Hammond, Kelsey Hammond, Jennifer Payton, Justin Hartsell, Jeanette Hartsell-Scott, Denise Lombardo, Tiffany Hammond, Kevin Hammond, Nikki Hammond, Garrett Hammond, Grace Hammond, Andrew Hammond and Jack Hammond as well as seventeen great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

After Carmel and Pete were married, they lived in Bell Island, Newfoundland until 1964 when they moved to Chicago, Illinois and later to Wooddale, Illinois. During many of their years in Illinois, Carmel was a well-loved home day care provider for numerous children, to whom she was known as “Lady Hammond.” Many of those children have said Carmel had a great, positive influence on them and stayed in contact with her throughout the rest of her life. Carmel developed many close friendships over the years, especially with a small group who came to be known as “The Golden Girls” with whom she travelled extensively.

After retirement, Carmel and Pete moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida in 1992 where they found great joy in the year-round warm weather and visits from family, many of whom moved, over the years, to be near them in Florida.

Carmel was a devout member of the Catholic faith.

Carmel loved, and was loved by her family, her day care children, her friends and by so many people who came to know her during her long life. She will always be remembered and will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be held at Aycock Funeral Home, 1504 Southeast Floresta Drive, Port St. Lucie, FL 34983, US, on April 22, 2026, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, followed by a Religious Ceremony at Aycock Funeral Home from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

A Committal Service will take place at Fernhill Memorial Gardens & Mauso, 1501 South Kanner Highway, Stuart, FL 34994, US, on April 22, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm.