I am truly saddened to just now hear about Lou Ann's passing. I delivered many cars to her and Stretch for more than a decade. I always enjoyed the drive out to her compound, where she would give me a guided tour of her latest chicks, or new flowers or some of the many other things she had around. I have not been in the business in more than two years, so I lost touch with most of the dear friends that I made in my almost two decades of driving. I will miss you my dear friend. Condolences to your family

Picture is from Lou Ann at our wedding in Gloucester, MA. Fond memories of meeting her in San Francisco in the '80's. I remember her tagline was: Never drive faster than your angel can fly. Now she can drive as fast as she wants. 

Dear LouLou I just can’t believe you’re gone. Even knowing what this dreadful illness would bring to you I wasn’t prepared for you to go. The last we chatted you were so upbeat and positive, I never thought you’d leave so soon. I am so thankful we spent lots of time communicating this last year, you are such a great conversationalist. Always interested in my life and asked many questions. I will never forget you and so glad to call you my friend for 30+ years. You promised me you’d be watching all of us still here, I take comfort in that. Love you dear friend…until we meet again. ❣️

I'm very proud to know Lou Ann. She was an impressive, honest and smart woman. My sincere condolence. RIP Lou Ann ;(
Sergiy

Dear Lou Ann, it doesn't seem possible she's no longer with us.  I bright outlook, smle and voice graced many a press event I was on and it is hard to believe I won't hear that voice, see that smile, or handle some crazy request from her.  Condolences to Stretch and her family, she was one of a kind.


Lou Ann was one of the eight founding judges of WWCOTY 
( Women`s Word Car of The Year), an international  judging panel made up solely of women motoring journalists. 

She joined with enthusiasm and that lasted throughout all the time as a member of this jury.  She was with us for a couple of  get-togethers and it was always a pleasure to see her. We particular  remember her breakfasts which were spectacular. She took pills, tablets, powders  before she had anything to eat.  It worked. 

She looked  always  superb. She dressed so well and always was immaculate.  She did not like to discuss her cancer, she prefered to fight it in her own way. 

And now this dreadful disease has taken her.  Fortunately, she was surrounded by the things that she loved and that is the perfect way to go.  Until the very end, Lou Ann was an active part of WWCOTY. Her opinions and views were always inteligent. Also her willingness to work and contribute was immense. We are going to miss her very much.  

Her good friend Sue Mead, also a WWCOTY juror, has created a webside in her honour in collaboration with the American Cancer Society ( link) where she can also be honoured.  

Rest in peace.

Marta Garcia
Executive President
WWCOTY 


link to web related to Lou Ann on American Cancer society: 

https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=3946&fs=e&s=cl&fbclid=IwAR1j0yGvVCwpSr7ttZV6gU4T4IA-S2liU_dRyTgBtv6aCga2l9wiPCLdop0&fs=e&s=cl






. 

   

Lou Ann was always a joy to work with during auto programs and made dinner conversations more interesting and enjoyable. My sincere condolences to her family. She will be missed.

Kelly Cusinato, auto industry colleague 

I had the opportunity to meet Lou twice as jurors and friends in the Women's World Car of the Year. Always thinking about how to help each other with their media and as journalists. And very professional and familiar. A wonderful woman. I will miss you. Lou, always in my heart. All the jurors in the WWCOTY will miss you a lot. Sara, juror from Spain.

I was shocked and saddened by the news.  I have know her for over 30 years through my Mazda years and.my Academy of Art University years.  She was always very supportive of our students and their development of skills and ideas.  We always exchange our latest ideas rather than just talk about the present....
I sure miss our meetings wherever and whenever that took place.
Rest in Peace, LouAnn.

Always Inspired by your wisdom
Tom Matano

I have known Lou Ann and Stretch for years.  She was my drive partner on many vehicle launches.  Great conservation.  Good insight into the industry and the vehicle we were driving.  We have shared many meals over the years and she was always a challenging conversationalist.  Lou Ann will be very much missed.

I am genuinely shocked by this news. She was much too young to be taken from us. 
 I have known Lou Ann for over 20 years. Lou Ann's humanity and desire to get the right story was always impressive. She really believed in her work and had tremendous integrity. As an auto  CMO  at several companies, she was a pleasure to be with and always to be trusted to deliver first class work. She was a rare gem in this industry.

Truly one of a kind, Lou Anne was always one of my favorite journalists to see during auto shows. Kind, joyful and full of wit, she and stretch always brought forth a smile. Wishing your family comfort as they know your suffering has passed. May your memory be a blessing to those who remember  you. Rest easy, Lou Anne.

I am truly saddened by your passing. Lou Ann was early and a visionary in her industry. She was a joy to work with in our too short of a time together. 

Lou Ann was one of a kind. I worked with her many times over the years, but my fondest memory involves my daughter. Many years ago I brought my daughter with me to the NYAS. Lou Ann met her and learned about her health struggles. From that moment on, Lou Ann asked about my daughter every time I communicated with her and always went out of her way to try and arrange special experiences for my daughter. She will be sorely missed. 

So sad with this.  Lou Ann was very special for her friends and all the automotive sector. Peace to her and strength to her family and friends. 
Brotherly hugs from Brazil.


I am so sorry to hear this. I always enjoyed talking to Lou Ann at autoshows and other industry events. RIP and our prayers are with you all.

Lou Ann and I were professional friends. We didn’t talk often, but when we did it was always as if no time had passed. From first meeting to last, she always asked about my daughters and made a point to make me feel appreciated and cared for.  Fun, funny and quirky, she was a special and appreciated character and friend in the industry. It appears from the other comments she made everyone feel this cherished and special. My heart is heavy to know she is gone. May her memory be a blessing and an example. Sending love to Stretch and all who loved her. 

Lou Ann, a Lady, a lovely dear friend. And in love with Italy. It has been refreshing and stimulating to exchange views with you, especially in the past six years sharing thoughts and analyses on industry and economic topics. RIP

Lou Ann always greeted me with a smile and a hello and was just a joy to be around.  Anytime there was an event or press trip and we would run into each other she would make you feel right at home. She will be missed. 

Lou Ann was delightful and a bright spot in our world. I always enjoyed connecting with her at auto shows and events. She will be missed. My condolences to all who loved her. 

Being the only female reviewers on many a ride-and-drive, Lou Ann and I gravitated toward each other. I have many happy memories of driving together and rocking out to the radio while test-driving new vehicles. I know she loved the road, but equally enjoyed being home with her animals and flowers. After one brutal Frankfurt auto show she greeted me the final morning with, “Girl, smile! We get to go home today!” I will remember her effervescent personality and kindness she showed me as a newbie on the beat and be forever grateful we crossed paths.

My deepest condolences. Lou Ann was always there with a kind word and a warm smile on press trips. Sending love to Stretch and the rest of her family.

I enjoyed many conversations with Lou Ann  over the years. On one trip, travel issues caused a ridiculously long day to get to Vancouver from Detroit; she saw the saga play out on FB. When I finally got to my room at about midnight, I found that she had arranged for the hotel to have a glass of Cabernet and a snack in my room, and left a note for me. I appreciated that kind act, and was touched. 

My condolences to Lou Ann’s husband and family. She was kind, caring, always energetic, curious, driven and sometimes a little eccentric. But most of all, I remember kind and caring.

I came to know Lou Ann professionally decades ago — back when female automotive journalists were a rare breed and not always accepted on their merits. She always was personable, professional and hardworking, and welcome to see on the road (often with Stretch).  We all should strive to emulate Lou in her honor and memory. 

I was *just* talking about her, I think yesterday, when I had not yet heard the news. Oh, man. So sorry to hear this. Lou Ann, it was always wonderful to see you. I will miss that happening in the future...

I met Lou for the first time at the Chicago Auto Show, she was so engaging and kind every time we happened to see each other at an event. Condolences to her friends and family. 

Lou and I met at so many  motor shows and car events.  She turned from journalist into good friend over the years.  Our conversations were always far reaching  and more searching  than most interviews as she charmed that extra few thoughts out of me.  We would enjoy occasional moments at the bar after. 
I will miss her. X

Lou and I had a professional friendship. She would sometimes send me a story passage when it was about old cars or ask me for some input. She was always delighted when our paths crossed, and such a source of fun. She will be missed. 

You were a beautiful light in this world, Lou Ann. Thanks for the bright and warm memories. Your loss leaves my heart heavy. Your sweet essence lives on forever in our souls. 

Lou Ann was so excited to have found these photographs! 

One of Lou Ann’s treasure trove of old photographs

I am uploading these photographs because they were so important to Lou Ann. She was thrilled to have found them in boxes of family items that had been set aside, unexplored, for years. She knew my husband was in the Navy and was very excited to share them. I saved everything she sent me, and want to share them here in turn. She told me nobody would find them as interesting as she did, but I suggested she offer them to the Naval Heritage Museum. Love you Lou Ann. 

Shocked and sadden by this. Sending support and well wishes for Stretch and the rest of her family. Condolences. 

Lou Ann was incredibly private about her illness, and right now, I’m weeping, feeling huge sadness and regret. We spoke all the time, about Italy and retiring there, about her dear Stretch, about her incredible yard and all the wonderful wildlife. She loved her chickens, the deer, the birds, and the peaceful oasis that was their home. We shared a passion for the auto industry, but I wish our last conversation in May had been about more important things. I dearly wish our last words had been about what a wonderful human she was, and how much I appreciated her. She was one of the first people to reach out to me when Scott was in Afghanistan. She told me about her great uncle who was a Seabee in the Navy and sent me pictures that she was thrilled to have found. She shared the saga of saving Mia the sparrow and sent pictures of all her creatures. She shared every painful step of her chemo saga for two years, but swore me to secrecy. We celebrated the “burning of the dress” on September 27, 2020, and she drank her first glass of wine in many months. For years, ours was a “messaging” relationship that was rich with love, support and admiration. I wish that we had shared one last conversation that expressed our affection again, and reinforced what we always said to each other, instead of wasting time on industry talk. I miss her already, and feel so much pain for her family and Stretch. She was a generous, compassionate and courageous woman, who will be dearly missed. Sending my friend a prayer tonight. 💕

I’m so shocked to finding this. GodSpeed Lou Ann. You were sight for sore eyes everytime we cross the paths…

I’m so sorry to hear this. My heart breaks for the Hammond family. Sending my condolences to all of her family, friends.

Lost touch with LouAnn after I stopped writing about cars, but she was one of a kind. Loved Stretch, loved wooden hotel hangers, loved cars and talking about cars. RIP.

Lou Ann, There's no one else in this world I would compare myself too other than you.  I will miss our daily talks and weekly inspiration you gave me, Forever in my heart. I love you 

-Ericka Ann Hammond 

Patsy, Alyssa and I had a great trip to California to visit Lou Ann and Stretch. She always made us feel most welcome. 

OBITUARY

Lou Ann Hammond

February 27, 1958 – July 15, 2022

Chapel of the Hills

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