Tribute

Melita Hamm died peacefully on 2 May 2025. Spouse of her beloved Peter (d. 2012), loving mother of Elsa (Michael) Armstrong, Willi (Marilyn), Ernie (Alison Li) and Rob (Monica), grandmother to Tristan, Julia, Michaela, Marcus, Christian, Gillian, Clara, David, Gavin and Audrey, great grandmother to Nathan, Evan, Zachary, William, Elizabeth, Charlotte-Mae, Mason and Marcus, she is mourned and missed by her family, extended family and a host of friends.
Melita was born on 26 January 1930 in Franzfeld, Ukraine, daughter of Peter and Helene Klassen, the fourth of five siblings. As war swept across Europe she moved with her family from the USSR to central Europe; then to Paraguay, where she met and married Peter Hamm. She and Peter and their young family immigrated to Canada in 1955 and within that year they settled in Vancouver, where she made a very happy home, built on a foundation of love and care, for her growing family. Her joy and gratitude for being able to raise her children in a peaceful country found active expression in her place of worship, First United Mennonite Church, where she made numerous friends and where she was a devoted member of its Frauenverein (ladies auxiliary) for over half a century. Her quiet strength was always there for her family; in the good times, in the hard times. She and Peter enjoyed all of the more than 60 years that they shared in good health, and when sickness came, her spirit stayed strong and the unconditional love she showered on us and so many others never faltered.

The family is deeply grateful to the staff of The Mayfair for the kindness and love they gave Melita in her final years.