Obituary of Martha Bliss Hamel

DAR Member, Volunteer, Martha Bliss Hamel, 90, proud member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) and tireless volunteer for many clubs and causes, passed away peacefully at Stevens Hospital in Edmonds on October 14, 2008 after suffering a massive stroke. She was a long-time, 55-year resident of Clyde Hill. Mrs. Hamel grew up in Edmonds, Wash., where her mother was the head of the English Department at Edmonds High School. She went to the University of Washington where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa with honors in Drama and English. After marrying Herman Hamel in 1940, she lived in Florida, New York, and California while he flew for Pan American Airways. In 1951 they moved to Bellevue where he had a second career at Boeing. While raising her family, Martha Hamel was a member of the Seattle-King County Visiting Nurse Service, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Phrateres (a female collegiate social and philanthropic association) Alumni, University of Washington Alumni, Washington State Republican Party, and for decades was a poll worker during elections. A direct descendant of a Revolutionary War veteran, Mrs. Hamel was a founding member of Cascade Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, serving as Regent and other chapter and state offices. She was also a member of the Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century; Daughters of 1812; and Woman Descendants of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. As the NSDAR motto reads: "God, Home, Country," so Martha Hamel lived her life. She recently celebrated her 90th birthday in Shoreline surrounded by family and friends. Her husband of 39 years, Herman C. Hamel, passed away in 1979. Mrs. Hamel is survived by her four children: David B. (Gail) Hamel of Belvedere, SC, Virginia H. Coburn of Shoreline, Katherine H. (James) Gray of Fairfax Station, VA, and Nancy (Thomas) Hamel-Routt of Edmonds; many grandchildren and great grandchildren. A Gathering will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 19, at Beck"s Funeral Home, 405 Fifth Avenue S, Edmonds, (425) 771-1234. In addition, the family plans a Celebration of her Life to be held in the spring.