Rita Jeanette Hamminga

R. Jeanette Hamminga
(December 18, 1925 – May 18, 2025)
RITA JEANETTE (TRUAX) HAMMINGA
Passed away at home on Sunday, May 18, 2025, under Hospice and family care. Born in Lockport on December 18, 1925, the second daughter of Perry Truax and Mary (Snediker) Truax. Jeanette attended a one-room country schoolhouse in Gasport, and graduated from Akron High School in 1942. Her first job was at W.T.Grant department store in Lockport, and then she worked at Lauxite as a secretary, where she met her future husband, Egbert "Brud" Hamminga. Jeanette moved to Olcott in 1948, when she married, and became a housewife and stay-at-home Mom for several years, raising her own children, as well as helping with niece and nephew Susan and Paul Dettinger. Later, she re-entered the workforce, becoming a secretary in the Newfane Central School Guidance Office, where she worked for 23 years. Jeanette was a member of several organizations, including over 76 years in the Olcott Fire Company Auxiliary, where she also served as secretary for many years. She was an elections inspector for the Town of Newfane for many years. She also was a member of Town of Newfane Historical Society, Royalton Historical Society, Niagara County Historical Society, Newfane Golden Age Club, Akron Alumni Association, Dale Association, Save-A-Pet, and Friends of Palace Theatre, Lockport, NY. Her other interests included dominoes, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, bingo, Facebook, spending time with family and her many friends in person, as well as on her computer. She was a great pie baker and cook for many years. Jeanette's love of Olcott was unmatched, and she lived there over 70 years. She moved to Turtle Creek Apartments in Getzville in 2019, to be closer to her children. She made many friends there, and although missing Olcott, loved the camaraderie and games and activities she shared with her new friends. She often said how blessed she was to have such a long, happy, healthy life, and felt honored to have so many friends. Predeceased by her husband on December 23, 2012, Jeanette is survived by three children, John W. Hamminga of Williamsville, Kathleen M. (Dennis) Hambruch of Getzville, and Ann M. Hamminga of Lockport. She loved being a Gram to two grandchildren, Melissa (Keith) Ford of Bakersfield, CA, and Michael Hambruch of Cheektowaga, and Great Gram to Brody Ford. She is also survived by sister-in-law Ann Truax, several cousins, and many dear nieces and nephews. Predeceased by 7 siblings: Dorothy (late Bud) McCabe, Robert (late Cindy) Truax, Ruth (late Mike) Del Plato, Harold (Ann) Truax, Richard Truax, Norman (late Barb) Truax, and Kenneth Truax. She was also predeceased by her late husband's siblings, John W. Hamminga, and Donna (Hamminga) Dettinger. Honoring her wishes, there will be no visitation or formal service. Memorial donations made to Save-A-Pet, Inc., PO Box 114, Newfane, NY 14108, or Hospice Buffalo, 225 Como Park Blvd., Buffalo, NY 14227-1480 would be appreciated by the family.