Laconia----- Roberta Kathleen (O'Friel) Hammond "Kathy", age 70, died on December 30, 2015 at her home after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She was a long time resident of Laconia, NH. She was born on September 23, 1945 in Elizabeth, NJ, the daughter of the late Robert M. and Garnette Rosalie (Thomas) O'Friel.
Kathy lived in Rochester, NY before moving to Middletown, OH as a young child. She attended Holy Trinity elementary school and Middletown High School. Kathy was a featured baton twirler in the high school band and graduated as the school's Homecoming Queen in 1963.
After graduating from Ohio State University with a degree in education, Kathy married Doug Hammond of Franklin, OH. They lived in Savannah, GA, Crystal Lake and Aurora, IL, Worthington, OH, Sahuarita, AZ and Bolton, MA before settling in Laconia. While living in Bolton, Kathy worked for the Worcester, MA YMCA, where she choreographed all of the aerobics routines and trained the staff of fifteen aerobics instructors. She taught in both Bolton and Worcester.
Kathy enjoyed being a mother and homemaker. She also loved gardening, running, snow and water skiing and spending time with her extended family.
Members of the family include her loving husband of 48 years Doug Hammond; one daughter Lindsay and her husband Stephen Lewis IV of Boxford, MA; one son John Hammond of Laconia; three grandchildren, Shea, Finn and Ashton Lewis; two sisters, Sally Joranko of Mentor, OH and Mary and her husband David Ballinger of Batavia, OH; four nephews; David Joranko and his wife Nora of Shaker Heights, OH, Michael Ballinger and his wife Nicole of LaGrange, KY, Greg Harville and his wife Jodi of Columbus, OH and Mitch Harville and his wife Jennifer of Columbus, OH; four nieces, Mindy Ballinger of Cincinnati, OH, Kelly Rogg and her husband Chuck of Batavia, OH, Katie Rodriguez and her husband Mel of Powell, OH and Gillie (Joranko) Schoenfeld and her husband Adam of CA. Kathy also leaves behind several great nieces great nephews and cousins.
Kathy maintained a close relationship with several of her high school friends, often referred to as the "Ya-Yas". She also had several loving and devoted caregivers throughout her illness, particularly Kathryn Moore of Concord, NH.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 from 4:00-8:00 PM at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, using the carriage house entrance.
A funeral mass celebrating Kathy's life will be held at a later date at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Middletown, OH.
Kathy will be laid to rest at Woodside Cemetery in Middletown, OH.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Kathy's name to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or online at ALZ.org.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements.