Sara M. Hammel

Groton - Sara M. Hammel, 88, of Birch St., Groton, entered eternal life on Jan. 18, 2008.

She was born Aug. 21, 1919, in New London, the daughter of the late Pasquale and Concetta (Macione) DiMaggio. She attended local schools and the former Williams Memorial Institute.

She was united in marriage to George O. Hammel on June 11, 1938, in St. Mary Star of the Sea Church. Mr. Hammel died Jan. 17, 1961.

Mrs. Hammel was employed as a tech aide at Electric Boat for 29 years, retiring in 1981. During the 1940s and 50s, Mrs. DiMaggio bowled in duck pin leagues and won numerous league titles. She was a communicant of St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, the Dante Alighieri Society, and R.S.V.P.

She is survived by two sons, George Hammel Jr. of Groton, James Hammel and his wife, Shirley, of New London; a brother, Jim May and his wife, Elizabeth, of Kentucky; a sister, Eleanor Colby and her husband, Alvin, of East Lyme; two grandchildren, Michelle Thomas, Douglas Hammel and his wife, Melissa; three great-grandchildren, Marissa Thomas, Benjamin Hammel, and Jeffery Evans.

She was predeceased by a brother, Frank DiMaggio and a sister, Rose Swinski.

Her family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London. The funeral will assemble at 9 a.m. on Tuesday and proceed to a Mass of Christian Burial at l0 a.m. in St. Mary Star of the Sea Church. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be made to Fairview Odd Fellows Home Community Fund, 235 Lestertown Road, Groton CT 06340.