Martha A Hammond

HAMMOND, Martha Aurelia “Marty” went to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 25, at her home, surrounded by her loving husband and family. She lived an abundant life full of love, grace, courage and faith and will be remembered for her kindness, compassion and wonderful smile.

Marty was born on November 15, 1950 at St. Mary’s Hospital, in Tucson, AZ to Filiberto C. and Consuelo M. Mariscal. She started school in San Diego, at Escondido Union School District. Upon returning to Tucson, due to her mom’s health, Marty and her siblings attended C.E. Rose Elementary, Government Heights, Immaculate Heart Academy (graduated in 1964), Pueblo High School (graduated in 1968). After graduating from Pueblo High School, she received a scholarship to attend Lamson’s Business College, an 18-month program that would teach her business writing, typing, shorthand and to use the latest office equipment. In order to graduate Marty had to be able to write a business letter, properly formatted and executed with up to four carbon copies. She also had to be able to take dictation up to 70 words per minute in shorthand and be able to type at least 69 words per minute accurately.

Upon her graduation from business school they helped to place her in an office job at Tucson Unified School District (TUSD). She was hired in 1970 as a secretary, but soon, because of her ability to speak and write Spanish, she was promoted and honored to work with Drs. Felizardo Valencia and Pat Betancourt during her time at the school district. She was part of the Modern and Classical Languages Department and was involved in establishing the first Bilingual Program at TUSD as a translator and transcriber. She worked at the TUSD business offices and at Cholla High School as a secretary and assistant to Dr. Doug Adams when he was vice principal and then principal at Cholla High School. It was during this time that she met Steve Hammond, her life partner and friend. They were married by Monsignor Arsenio Carrillo on December 9, 1972 at St. John the Evangelist Church. Marty was radiant in her mother’s wedding gown that had been used 24 years earlier when her parents were married in Terrenate, Sonora, Mexico.

From TUSD Marty moved to Hughes, which later became IBM. She opted not to transfer from Tucson, so she took the ‘buy out’ from IBM and searched for a new job. She found an office job at St. Monica’s Parish with Fr. Van Wagner then she moved to St. John the Evangelist to work with Fr. Raul Trevizo.

Fr. Trevizo was appointed Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Tucson, and Marty went with him as his assistant. Marty found her calling in the Vocations Office working with the candidates, seminarians and their families. Though Marty never had children of her own, she had many sons in the candidates and seminarians that came through the doors of the Vocations Office. Marty worked the rest of her working years at the Vocations Office working with the different directors including Fr. Patrick Crino, co-directors, Frs. Michael Bucciarelli and Vili Valderrama, and lastly Msgr. Al Schifano and Fr. Jorge Farias Saucedo. Her longest tenures were with Fr. Ricky Ordonez (5 years) and Fr. Miguel Mariano (8 years). Throughout her years at the diocese, Marty established long, lasting friendships with these servants of the Lord and treasured them as family.

On August 25, 2017 Marty retired from the diocese and on that day a mass was celebrated at Most Holy Trinity and a dinner at Mosaic Café to celebrate the new chapter in both Marty and Steve’s lives, as they had both just retired.

Marty enjoyed her time at home with Steve and Windy, going to the casinos and spending time with her family and friends. Family was important to Marty and she participated in every birthday celebration, wedding, or get together that she could, but her health started to falter. Steve was always attentive to her needs and doted on her especially after their retirements. In their 47 years of marriage, Marty never had to open her own door. (Thank you, Steve.)

There was nothing that Marty’s husband, siblings, family and friends would not do to help her get better, but in the end, what was most important and most difficult, was honoring Marty’s wishes. Those who shared moments with her, especially during her last weeks are honored and blessed to have shared in her continued spiritual strength, love, courage and unfaltering faith.

Marty is survived by her husband, Steve; stepdaughter, Sabrina Barillas (Jaime); siblings, Luis Mariscal (Joann), Gloria Bojorquez (David), Carmen Montijo (David), Celia Fatke; in-laws, Kenny, Diane Wilson, Richard (Rita).

Marty loved and nurtured her nephews and nieces and was a second mother to them. Most of them call her Nina and all of them love her and will cherish her memory. She also had countless ahijados and ahijadas. She wore her title of Nina with pride and so much love. Her grandnephews and grandnieces all call her Nina, and Steve is Nino to them all.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8