CECELIA HAM

Our mother, Cecelia Frances Ham, completed her life journey of 95 years on July 10, 2011, to join our father. She was born in San Mateo, Ca., on January 4, 1916, to Mary Mildred and William Kynoch, but was raised by a loving stepfather, Edwin Blodgett.

Mom lived nearly her entire life in Fresno, as did her mother and grandmother. Cecelia was a modern woman working for 40 years in education after graduating from Fresno State College in 1938. She began her career as an elementary school teacher at Kirk School in the Fresno Unified School District, worked for the Fresno County Office of Education as an Elementary Schools Consultant and taught at the Lab School on the Fresno State College campus and as an Assistant Professor at Fresno State in the Department of Education. Cecelia was a charter member of the Gamma Delta Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society. All this was accomplished while she supported her husband through college and graduate school. With him she raised two children joining in their passions for showing horses and flying airplanes. Cecelia loved her husband, her children and her work with equal passion and managed to balance it all.

We wish to acknowledge and thank Mom's wonderful caregivers, Mandy, Anna, Sandy and Serena from Right at Home for enabling Mom to fulfill her desire to live in her own home. Mom was also blessed to be able to complete her life journey in the caring arms of the Hinds Hospice Home, a remarkable place. Last but definitely not least we would like to thank Dr. Kantam Gade who for many years cared for Mom with dignity and concern for her wishes.

Cecelia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Irwin, of 50 years, whom she married on Christmas Eve 1944; and her grandson Derek Collins-Ham.

She is survived by her daughter, Loralee Ham Cervantes; her husband, Daniel and their daughter Leanne of Fresno; and her son, James Ham and his daughter Claire of Los Angeles.

Private family services will be held.

The family would like to request that any remembrances be made to Hinds Hospice Home of Fresno, 1616 W. Shaw Avenue, Suite A-5, Fresno, Ca. 93711.