Rita Selma Hammer's Obituary
Rita S. Hammer, age 95, passed away on April 27, 2022 in Oakland, CA. She is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years, Richard, with whom she raised three children, Adrienne, Lori, and Stephen. She was the loving and proud grandmother of Zachary, Julia, Haley, Claire, and Ian.
Born in New York City, and a proud graduate of Queens College, Rita believed deeply in public education and lifelong learning, and was firmly committed to the advancement of women’s opportunities through higher education. She taught in the Fremont (CA) School District for 20 years; she was head of the Scholarship Committee for the California Retired Teachers Association of Southern Alameda County; she was president of the Fremont Chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW); and with Dick, volunteered with the Friends of the Hayward Library, and participated in and helped organize numerous Elderhostel programs both in the Bay Area and around the world.
Rita and Dick loved to travel – whether it was around the United States or around the world. They made friends in countries they visited and then reciprocated by welcoming foreign travelers into their home and showing them the beauties of California. She believed the world was a better place when people got to know each other and rejoiced in the differences they brought to life.
Rita was predeceased in 1956 by her first husband, Bernard Insel, and in 2019 by her grandson, Adam Hutchison.
** In lieu of flowers please donate to the charities below :
Memorial contributions to the Fremont AAUW scholarship program (https://fremont-ca.aauw.net/aauw-fremont-foundation-for-local-scholarships-501c3/) or the Friends of the Hayward Library (https://www.haywardfriends.org/donate) are greatly appreciated.
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