Carolyn Hammersley

 CAROLYN ANN HAMMERSLEY - Of Jackson, passed away Saturday, September 7 in her home with her family at her side. She was born September 30, 1931, in Terre Haute, Indiana to Virgil and Dorothea Irwin. She graduated from Wiley High School in 1949.  Carolyn graduated from Indiana State Teachers College in 1953 in Terre Haute, Indiana. She married the love of her life, John Hammersley, in August of 1954.  She then began her 21-year teaching career in Michigan, starting at Vandercook Lake High School in 1954 until 1959.  She then was a stay-at-home mom until she returned to teaching and was the integral part of building the Jackson Public Schools elementary strings and orchestra programs in 1975 and until she retired in 1989. 

She is survived by her four children, Susie (Larry) Simon of Libertyville, IL, Greg (Melissa) of Greensboro, NC, Scott (Gaye) of Oakley, MI, and Becky (Bruce) Wood of Jackson, MI; her sixteen grandchildren (Rich, James, Beth; Lindsey, Sara, Michael; Jennifer, Amanda, Grace, Philip, Hannah; Emily, Sam, Amanda, Allison, Matthew), and thirteen great grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her husband John; her parents; her sister, Marilyn Berkey; son, Michael J. Hammersley; in-laws, Gorda and Fern Hammersley.; daughters in law Kathi (Greg) Hammersley and Cyndi (Scott) Hammersley.  Carolyn loved her family, and it showed in everything she did. She was also an avid sports fan, especially of University of Michigan football. Music was her lifelong passion.  Carolyn was a concert cellist in the Jackson Symphony Orchestra; she belonged to and performed with Tuesday Musicale and Jackson Community Strings.  At home she loved doing jigsaw puzzles, card games – especially bridge and five crowns, and enjoying the wildlife in her backyard.  Mom and family are especially grateful for the love and care she received from her wonderful friend Roberta these past five years.

She was a devoted member of Trinity United Methodist Church. She was loved and will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends. Services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Bea Robinson officiating. The interment will be held at Roseland Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held at the JL Watson Funeral Chapel on Spring Arbor Rd on Wednesday September 11, 2024, from 3 PM to 7PM, and at the church Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church. 

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