Vada Jean Hammen

Vada Jean (Gasaway) Hammen

On Friday August 7th  2020, at the age of 96 Vada passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family. She had been blessed with great health; she loved art, gardening, activity and enjoyed like-minded people.

Vada once wrote “I was born in Illinois, married and had 7 children. Yes SEVEN. "Bob and Vada created 7 colorful souls." Bobby, Brick, Jeanne, Denny, Donny, Kathy and Patty.  I started painting when I lived in Illinois. My oldest son paid for my first art lessons as a gift to me. After years of painting in Illinois, my husband and I retired to Brownsville TX. I taught at the Brownsville Art League and constantly learned new mediums and techniques. I enjoyed the sun and a great Brownsville Art League family. Five years ago I moved to "LA" Lower Alabama (about a mile from Pensacola Florida). The art communities are thriving! Lots of groups to paint with: Plein Air of Pensacola, Portrait Painters of Pensacola, Performing Arts Association in Foley and Artists of the Bay. My family grows larger as my artist friends grow. They have become an exciting addition to my family as we share our passion of art”.

Vada was born April 3, 1924 in Ransom, Illinois to William “Bill”and Claudia (Greer) Gasaway.  She attended and graduated from Ransom, Illinois schools. She married Robert John Hammen Sept 20, 1941. They lived and raised all of their seven children in Wilmington. Vada busied herself at home with Cub Scouts, Brownies and volunteering at the church and schools and drove a school bus for 15 years. Vada loved her art and taught classes at Joliet Junior College in Joliet Illinois for 12 years.   If she had a paintbrush in her hand, all was good—really good. Bob and Vada retired part-time in Brownsville, Texas for eight years then full time retirement for 12 more years. After her husband of 59 years passed, she decided to make a move.  At the age of 80, Vada decided to make her move from Texas to Alabama to be closer to more family.  She has been a resident of Lillian, Alabama since 2004. Vada established herself quickly in the art communities in Lillian, Foley and Daphne. She especially enjoyed a Plein Aire and a portrait group in Pensacola. Her paintings are still located in local galleries in the area. In addition, Vada loved trying new recipes and finding tasty and healthy dishes. She was an avid reader but her passion for painting was the gift she gave to herself, family, friends and patrons. Her art hangs in homes and businesses throughout United States and overseas.

Vada was dearly loved by her children Jeanne(Elliott) Denny, Kathy (Ernie Witemore) and Patty (Mike Poskin). In addition, she was a cherished Grandma to 16 grandchildren and Great Grandma to 22 and a great-great grandma to 6!  Her yearly goal was to personally handmake (or find for the last few years) Christmas ornaments for all her huge family. She also made her fudge and homemade divinity for each of her children and families.

Vada really had no time for regrets; She left nothing undone, and her presence will be missed so much.

Vada was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Claudia Gasaway, her husband Robert of 59 years, three sons Bobby, Bill “Brick” and Donny “Sid”, as well as two grandsons Doug Benge and Josh Wrye.

Cremation rites were accorded, and the family will receive friends for a memorial visitation at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 604 South Kankakee Street, in Wilmington on Saturday, July 9, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of funeral services, 10:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Sebastian Gargol and assisted by Deacon Jay Plese, and inurnment will immediately follow mass at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Wilmington.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book and share Vada’s memorial page via social media.

Memorial services and arraarrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington (815-476-2181).