Oleeta Hammer

September 8, 1919 - July 17, 2015

Oleeta Hammer, age 95 of Escondido passed away on Friday, July 17th, 2015. She was born in Oklahoma on September 8th, 1919. Oleeta grew up as part of a huge family in rural Oklahoma. The family traveled throughout the region taking work where they could find it. Oleeta worked with her brothers and sisters on farms and in fields. As her brothers and sisters married and had children, Oleeta became the family babysitter, trading in long days picking cotton for longer days caring for and educating her nieces and nephews. While in Texas in 1938 Oleeta met Paul Hammer. The two married in 1939 and made their way to California, settling in Escodindo where they remained until her passing. Family and friends filled Oleeta's life. Her home was always open and welcoming. An avid reader, Oleeta loved spending hours working on crossword puzzles, putting together jigsaw puzzles or playing dominoes with friends and family. Oleeta was also a talented, self-taught painter who completed over a dozen landscapes during her life. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren fondly remember Grandma O and her family-famous Jello-O recipe that she prepared without fail anytime any of them came to visit. Paul and Oleeta went into business together with Campbell Refrigeration in 1960. She worked in the office making sure the day to day operations went smoothly. The business remained a fixture in Escondido until they sold it and retired in the early 1980's. The couple enjoyed retirement, playing cards with friends and taking frequent camping trips to Ocotilla Wells. Oleeta is survived by her husband of 75 years, Paul, her two sons, Robert and Carl, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind caring friends and a huge collection of cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives affectionately referred to as the Texas crew. There will be a viewing on Thursday July 23rd from 4pm to 8pm at Alhiser-Comer Mortuary. Memorial services are Friday, July 24th in the mortuary's chapel at 9am followed by burial at Oak Hill Memorial Park. The family wishes to thank all of those who cared for her during her final days. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made to local charities