Virginia B. Hammond

Virginia B. Hammond

AGE: 99 • Little Silver

Virginia B. Hammond, passed away peacefully on Monday, Aug. 19, 2013 just three weeks after celebrating her 99th birthday. Virginia Birdsall Hammond was born in Red Bank, on July 27, 1914, the daughter of Hershel Birdsall and Edna Allen Birdsall. She was a lifelong resident of Monmouth County.

Virginia received her Bachelor's degree in English and Art History from Wilson College (Chambersburg, PA) in 1935 and did her graduate work at the University of Vermont in Art Education. She served as the Art Supervisor of the Shrewsbury Boro School for a number of years.

An accomplished artist in her own right, Virginia, was a charter member of the Guild of Creative Art, Shrewsbury, NJ, in the 1960s, where she served as Director for five years in the 1970s. Virginia's artwork has been shown throughout the State of New Jersey, in such venues as the Montclair Museum, the Newark Museum, the Trenton Museum, as well as at Monmouth College and the Monmouth Museum at Brookdale Community College.

Virginia was also an active member of the Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury for almost 70 years, where she served as a Deacon, Trustee, and Elder. She also served on various Church committees, including the most recent Pastor Nominating Committee in 1995. Virginia was fiercely protective of the Church's rich history in Monmouth County and was the writer and producer of the Church's 275th Anniversary Pageant in 2007. Virginia was also active in the preservation of the Church's historical documents and the interior of the sanctuary. For many years, Virginia was also active in the Shrewsbury Antique Show co-sponsored by Christ Church and the Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury.

Virginia was predeceased by her husband, Pvt. Norman Kirk Stofflet, who died serving in the European Theater during World War Two on Sept. 22, 1944. Virginia is survived by their daughter, Mary Kirk Stofflet of San Francisco, CA. Virginia was predeceased by her grandson, Robert Anthony Mercado, in 1984. Virginia is also survived by her niece, Ann Stofflet Applegate; great-nephews, Scott Applegate and Laurie Applegate, Jr.; and great-niece, Barbara Applegate Byrne, all of Toms River.

Virginia was also predeceased by her husband, John F. Montgomery, in 1962. Virginia is survived by four step-grandchildren, John Curchin of Denver, CO, Nancy Hales of Portland, OR, Barbara Hall of Wyomissing, PA, and Lynn Geltzeiler of Little Silver, NJ. She is also survived by several step-great-grandchildren.

Virginia was also predeceased by her husband, Richard Hammond, in 1982. Virginia is survived by three step-children, Patricia Flowers of Clayton, NJ, John Hammond of Medford, NJ, and Richard Hammond of Cherry Hill, NJ. She is also survived by many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, as well as her companion and aide of three years, Fe Gulla.

Virginia was predeceased by her parents, Hershel and Edna Birdsall, as well as her sister, Rhoda B. Swift.

Virginia is also survived by her many friends whom she touched during the various stages of her life and who will all miss her.

A memorial service celebrating Virginia's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013 at the Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury, 352 Sycamore Ave., Shrewsbury. Interment will take place in the Church's cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Virginia's memory and honor to the Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury Memorial Fund. Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, was entrusted with her care.