Helen Hamm

Helen was born April 2, 1929, in Manitoba, the 3rd child and 1st daughter of 10 children to Jacob and Anna Esau.

She went to school until grade 6 and was then home to help with household chores and taking care of her younger siblings. Living on the farm meant working hard, which Helen did throughout her life. However the Esau family also loved to laugh, eat, and have fun. Playing games, singing, and being involved in the local Mennonite church was an important part of life. It was in 1947 when the family decided to move to a dairy farm in Abbotsford BC.

The following year, at 19 years of age, Helen met and married Peter Wiebe. They had 4 children: Daniel, David, Marilyn, and Pauline. Helen often helped to make ends meet by working at a variety of jobs such as at a cannery, cooking in an orphanage, cleaning homes and offices, and doing alterations at a dry cleaners. When her children were quite young she survived a bout of cancer. Life was good, but not easy.

Her husband, Peter, passed away in 1988. About 5 years later, Helen's brother, Henry, played matchmaker and she married Peter Hamm, which included a large Hamm family with many grandchildren. It also meant world-travel, as Peter enjoyed visiting other countries. They

settled in Kelowna where Helen survived yet another battle with cancer. After her recovery, being closer to family became a priority and they moved to Chilliwack.

Helen's children, grandchildren, and her siblings were a big part of her life. The yearly Esau picnics, monthly Esau breakfasts, family celebrations, church functions, games, quilting, carpet bowling, and volunteering at the MCC store kept Mom busy for many years. She was famous for her yummy mennonite cooking and baking. Her many nieces, nephews, siblings, children and grandchildren were always eager to make sure they would not miss the perishky coming to the yearly Esau picnic.

Her husband Peter Hamm passed away in 2016. Mom lived on her own until she could no longer manage. She moved to the Menno Home, and was well cared for there for 2 1/2 years until she peacefully went home at age 94 to be with her Lord and Saviour. She was happily reunited with family and friends who had gone before. We cherish our many precious moments and memories of Mom and look forward to being together again someday.

"What a day that will be!"

Those wishing to view the Memorial Service on October 27th may do so at this link: https://funeraweb.tv/beloved/110550. The stream will begin at 10:30 AM and service to start at 11:00 AM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawn-mtcheam.ca for the Hamm family.