Sue Ann Hamel

1938 - 2022

Sue Ann Bonnett Hamel died on Monday, 11 July, 2022, in Annapolis, Maryland. She was born on Thursday, 24 November, 1938, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Warren Lee and Ann Dill Bonnett. Sue grew up an only child, as her father, an Army infantry captain, died in November 1942 in the Operation Torch landings in North Africa. She was raised by her mother, Ann, and grandparents, to be a strong and independent woman. She made friends easily, in her neighborhood and schools, including Baltimore Friends School, where she graduated in the spring of 1956. At Friends she did well, with a few scrapes and notes home. When time for college came around, she applied to six top schools and was accepted by all. In the meantime, Sue was attending an occasional tea dance at the Naval Academy. Here she met a midshipman named Bill, who was to become the love of her life. For college, Sue chose Cornell University, but after freshman year returned to Baltimore and transferred to Goucher College, to be closer to Bill. He graduated in 1957 as a Marine Corps second lieutenant, and in March of 1958 they married, in Sue's home in Aberdeen, Md. The marriage would last 64 years. For their honeymoon, the couple drove to Bremerton, Washington, to meet family, surviving a wreck in a dust storm on the way. In San Clemente, California, Sue made friends, enjoyed the beach, and led, with Bill, a young couples group in their church. She endured a miscarriage, and then, pregnant again, traveled by car back East for Bill's temporary duty. On 26 May 1959, at Martin Army Hospital, Fort Benning, Georgia, her first child, William Warren Hamel, was born. Returning to California with Warren via one of the early Boeing 707 flights, Sue settled in as a young mom and church leader, supported by her own mom, Ann, who lived in nearby Oceanside, while Bill served on various deployments. In 1961 the couple returned to Maryland, where Sue re-enrolled at Goucher College, becoming their first student mother. She studied math and did well; she was offered a position directing their first computer lab after graduation. She declined, as she was very pregnant at that time. In 1964 she graduated, majoring in math, and on 10 July 1965 she gave birth to her second child, Emily Ann Hamel. Meanwhile, Sue and Bill designed and built a new home in Rugby Hall, Arnold. The family moved there in 1966 and have lived there as the children grew up, married, and made their own families. From early on, Sue's life reflected the family as her first priority. In just two years, the family acquired a 19-foot Lightning sailboat. Sue loved it, and her family became a Bay sailing family. The kids grew up cruising in a succession of sailboats; many a week-long vacation was spent gunkholing on the Shore. Later on, Sue came to love family beach vacations at the Florida panhandle, Santa Cruz, and especially Rehoboth Beach; the miles of sand were ideal for her life-long love of walking. Her daily walks led her also to care for the B&A Trail, earning her the Friends of the Trail award. Sue loved flowers and gardening. Springtime planting, and regular trimming and watering, especially of her heirloom African violets, gave her much satisfaction. She was a wonderful seamstress – she created designer quilts for each of her six grandchildren. Sue was a great cook also, widely known for her lump crabcakes. For her, each year had its highlights: Christmas, Easter, birthdays, and – especially – Thanksgiving, the annual family reunion. She delighted in seating 20 or more family members and guests. Picking crabs was a favorite pastime. She loved to travel, especially to Italy, but also to Macchu Picchu and the Galapagos, with family or close friends. In 1970, after a few stints substituting, Sue began a distinguished professional career in teaching. Starting with the third grade at Jones Elementary, she successively taught middle school math and later served as a resource for developing math teachers throughout the school system. She retired from the school system in December, 1998. She led a full, rich life, made even more so by her dedication to her church. In 2005 she found her church home, at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, in Severna Park, Maryland. In her 17 years there, Sue served in many roles: Christ Care member, leader, and trainer; deacon, twice; elder; Women's Bible Study leader and teacher; and human resources committee member, among others. Sue was predeceased by her mother, Ann Dill Bonnett Hamel; and her father, Warren Lee Bonnett. She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, William Stanley Hamel; her son W. Warren Hamel, and his wife Ann Hamel, of Arnold, Md.; her daughter, Emily H. Flautt, and her husband, James L. Flautt; and six grandchildren: Luke, Jacob and Emma Hamel; and William, Mitchell, and Jane Flautt. Sue's life was a blessing to all who knew her. She was an exemplary planner, organizer, leader, teacher, wife, mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, 23 July 2022, at the Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, 611 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd., Severna Park, Md., 21146. Interment will be private. The family suggests that, instead of flowers, donations in Sue's honor be made to Woods Memorial Church, Pastoral Care Ministry. www.barrancofuneralhome.com