Diane "Dee" Hammond

1949 - 2025

Diane Hammond was born in 1949 and raised in San Jose, CA and was one of seven siblings. She graduated from Lincoln High School with honors and attended SJSU.

She held many jobs as a young adult and was even a door-to-door saleswoman. People would invite her in, believing she was selling candy for school, and she would leave after selling them encyclopedias.

Diane moved to Portland, OR and lived with her sister, where she was introduced to Tom. After a short courtship, the two married in Reno, NV.

In 1970, they welcomed their first child, Craig. Tom re-enlisted in the Navy and served for 22 years. Their second son, Jeff, was born in 1972. While stationed in San Diego, she developed a newsletter with new friend Myke, another Navy wife. They have remained best friends and troublemakers for over 50 years.

Being a Navy wife, Dee took jobs in different industries as they moved following Tom's career. Primarily in the medical field, she supported brain, cardiac and hand surgeons but also in the high-tech industry including AOL and American Express.

Living as a Navy wife, the family experienced living in Hawaii, Seattle and San Diego. Through their many adventures, Dee and Tom enjoyed traveling to the USSR, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Philippines, South Korea, Alaska and Hawaii.

Diane loved driving and even though she needed thick cushions behind her and one under her with the seat all the way up, she was impressive behind the wheel. Her first off-road driving with a 4-wheel club earned her 2nd place in a barrel racing competition.

After Craig and Jeff moved to the Bay Area to attend college, Tom and Dee moved to San Jose.

In 2002, they decided to move to Oakhurst, just outside of Yosemite National Park. Tom's family lived in the area as well. A new casino opened and Diane and son, Craig, worked in the Tour & Travel department.

In 2003, Diane was offered a position with American Express in Arizona. This allowed her to live close to her youngest son, Jeff and his wife Jackie.

Diane was overjoyed in 2006 upon the birth of her first granddaughter Natalya, Craig and Barbara's first child. A few months later, Jeff and Jackie delivered twins, Noelle and Lennon. Zachary arrived in 2012.

Diane retired in 2013 and they moved to Watsonville. In 2019 Tom and Dee celebrated their 50th anniversary. Led by her brother John, with Craig and Jeff standing by their sides, their granddaughter Natalya as her junior bridesmaid and grandson Zachary as ring bearer. Their loved ones witnessed their vow renewal.

Settling into retired life, she enjoyed visiting with her siblings, playing BINGO and BUNCO with her friends and spoiling her grandchildren.

In 2016 she and Tom moved into a shared home with Craig and his family and resided with them until she passed.
She is survived by, Tom Hammond, her husband of 56 years; her children, Craig and Jeff Hammond; their wives, Barbara and Jackie Stewart Hammond; grandchildren: Natalya, Zachary, Noelle and Lennon Hammond; siblings: Kathy Stoeckle, David, Albert, Ed and John Salazar.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jacobs Heart: https://www.jacobsheart.org/donate

Mehl's Colonial Chapel has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.