VIRGINIA JANE JOHNSON HAMMER

HAMMER, VIRGINIA JANE BUCHANAN JOHNSON Virginia Jane Buchanan Johnson Hammer, born August 2, 1931, passed away December 25, 2010, daughter of Cpt. John Henry and Victoria Virginia Buchanan, was raised in Kensington, Long Beach, and Honolulu, where she attended Punahou school 1939 -1941. She returned to San Diego and graduated from Point Loma High school in 1948, attended Colombia College in Missouri and San Diego State. Virginia is a Golden Arrow member of Phi Beta Phi. She was an excellent swimming teacher at Morley Field and Del Mar Hotel. Virginia married Thomas E. Johnson in 1956; they divorced in 1967. She was Executive Secretary at North Sails for 20 years while raising her two children, Tom and Vicki. In 1978, Virginia began a new chapter with Alvin "AI" Hammer. They enjoyed traveling, volunteering, laughing a lot, and a 30 year marriage. AI passed away last December. After her work at North Sails, she enjoyed nine years of working at the International Visitor Information Center and San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau where she could share her love of San Diego. Her scope of volunteering included Backyard Swim, Sharp Rady Children's Hospital Aux., Meals-on-Wheels, Rolling Readers Cabrillo Elementary School, San Diego Humane Society, San Diego Zoo (behavioral observer) and San Diego Visitors Bureau. Virginia had an endless love of animals and is survived by spoiled dogs "Mocha" and "Bear." Both need new homes. Virginia also liked lifelong learning through Oasis classes and Elderhostels. She enjoyed white water rafting and hot air balloon rides, gardening, reading and sailing. We will remember her sense of humor, compassion. and class. Virginia is survived by her son, Thomas E. Johnson, Jr. (Michele) of McLean, Virginia, daughter, Victoria Ann (Johnson) Cunningham (William) of Kula, Maui, stepchildren Chris, Matthew and Diana Hammer, grandchildren Chalan and Brennen Cunningham, Lauren and Vanessa Johnson, and step-children Travis and Peyton Hammer. We all will miss her greatly. Memorial Service to be held at a later date. Memorial donations gratefully accepted at to San Diego Humane Society or San Diego Hospice.