Zipporah Parks "Zippy" Hammond

Zipporah Parks Hammond passed away on July 6, 2011 surrounded by family in Longmont, CO. Warmly known by friends and family as Zippy, she was born Zipporah Joseph Parks on March 1, 1924 in Denver, CO. In 1946, she became the first African American to graduate from the University of Colorado at Boulder School of Nursing. Zippy served as Chief Surgical Nurse at John Andrews Hospital Infantile Polio Paralysis Unit at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, AL. Later, after recovering from Tuberculosis, she had a long career as a medical records librarian serving both at Presbyterian and University of Colorado hospitals. She married Sheldon Leroy Hammond of Schenectady, NY on November 29, 1952. Sheldon preceded her in death in April 2003 after more than 50 years of marriage. Zippy was an active volunteer at the Denver Public Library for many years where she helped to identify, catalog and archive photographs and artifacts that document the rich history of Denverites (primarily Black) in the 1990's. Zippy will be remembered for her hard work and tenacity to succeed, for her good nature and loyalty, and for a life well lived by serving and caring for others. She is survived by two loving sons and their wives, Stephen (Charlotte) of Potomac Falls, VA and Darrell (Cheryl) of Longmont, CO; seven wonderful grandchildren including Darrell II, Tiffany, Kerstin, Ana, Brianna, Joel and Toby and numerous cousins through the prominent Syphax family of Arlington, VA. Arrangements by Caldwell-Kirk, Denver. Memorial service, Thurs., July 14, 2011, Kirk Chapel. Private burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Zipporah's name to Halcyon Hospice or Colorado Community Hospice.