Obituary

Brenda Jean Hammill-Lutz
July 12, 1939--July 29, 2023

Brenda Jean Hammill-Lutz, 84, died July 29, 2023 at Brookdale Assisted Living of College Place. She lived most of her life in the Pendleton and Athena, Oregon area. She was born on July 12, 1939 in Spokane, Washington to William and Jean Maize-Williams, who later divorced. Her mother later married Robert Mayo and Brenda was joined by brothers Harry and Evan, and later sister Julie.

Following her high school graduation, she moved to Moscow, Idaho and worked in the offices of the College of Mines and Geology, Forestry; and in the Idaho State 4-H Office. She met Alton Hammill in Moscow and they married on February 9, 1958.

Brenda and Al moved to Pendleton, Oregon after marrying and soon welcomed their sons, Stewart and David. While she spent most of her time raising Stewart and David, she also worked part-time at several businesses. She especially liked the years she worked at Anna Lee's Dress Shop in Downtown Pendleton. They lived in Ukiah, Oregon while Al was employed by the U.S. Forest Service, and then in Athena, Oregon when he worked for Blue Mountain Forest Products. Brenda remained in Athena until Al's death in April 2014.

She moved to the Quail Run Retirement Community in Walla Walla, Washington in 2015. While living at Quail Run, she was table-mates with Alvin Lutz. They discovered that they enjoyed each other's company immensely, and married on August 14, 2016 in the first-ever wedding celebration held at Quail Run. After Al's passing in August 2019, Brenda stayed at Quail Run until October 2021, when she moved to Brookdale College Place.

Brenda loved gardening, cooking, playing the piano, and reading. Her yard in Athena was a showplace of roses and many beautiful flowers, and everyone she knew enjoyed the bounty of her vegetable garden. "Grandma Brenda Rolls", Hawaiian Cookies, and Sour Cream Potatoes were family favorites. Her sons were the joy of her life and even though she couldn't travel later in life, she loved hearing about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Brenda is survived by her sons, Stewart (Vera) of Milton-Freewater and David (Renee) of Dallas, Oregon; grandchildren Rachel and Rebecca Hammill of Milton-Freewater; Blake Allen (Kristin), Alyson Steckley (Jordan), Devin Hammill (Britneigh), Alexander (Xander), Aunalisa, and Cora Hammill of Dallas, Oregon; and great-grandchildren Logan, Elodie, Avery, and Sebastian. She is also survived by brothers Harry (Charlene) and Evan (Kendra); sister Julie Mayo; brother-in-law Vernon (Laurie) Hammill; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Memorial Service was held on Monday, August 7 at Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Private inurnment will be held at Olney Cemetery in Pendleton, Oregon.