Harriet Payne Hammons, 77, of La Cañada Flintridge, went to be with our Lord on Sunday, July 5 after a battle with stage 4 lung cancer.

Born in Los Angeles, Harriet was the beloved mother of Heidi Harriet Moreno of La Crescenta and John Philip Hammons of LCF, and the beloved grandmother of Grace Elizabeth Moreno of La Crescenta.

She was a proud native Angelino who grew up in the Silver Lake area. She attended and graduated from Marshall High School and was an active member of the alumni association. She spent a year studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain and became fluent in Spanish. Harriet received her teaching degree and credential from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena. During this time, she met her husband, Philip Hammons, whom she was married to for 34 years until he passed away in 2002. They moved to La Cañada in 1970 and soon after their children were born. In 2003, her first and only grandchild came into the world. Harriet loved being a mom and especially loved being a grandmother. She was very supportive and involved, and proud of all the accomplishments of her children and granddaughter.

Harriet was a dedicated bilingual elementary school educator who taught for LAUSD for 44 years. She taught at Pinewood, Sherman Oaks, and Union Avenue. She also developed herself as an educator through Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG), a society to promote and develop women educators.

    Faith in Christ was central to Harriet’s personal and family life. She was an active member of La Cañada United Methodist Church for over 45 years. She was actively involved in many aspects of the church, most notably United Methodist Women, and many outreach/mission projects to Mexico and the local community.

As both of her children got involved in scouting, she did too. For 34 years she volunteered with Boy Scouts of America. She and her husband Phil were great supporters of the Verdugo Hills Council and she became a merit badge counselor in 1999, helping countless Scouts earn their merit badges and aiding their journey to the prestigious Eagle Scout Award. She was also a council commissioner and just recently honored with her picture on the council’s wall of fame.

Harriet loved learning, meeting new people and traveling all over the world! She and her husband traveled every year of their marriage to almost every state in the U.S. as well as throughout Asia, Europe, Canada and Mexico. They had many travel adventures with their children as well. They hosted Youth for Understanding students and many Japanese students over the years. She and her son John also attended many national and world Scout Jamborees.   

Stating that Harriet attended almost every event in the communities of Crescenta Valley and La Cañada is not an exaggeration. And once she started supporting an organization she did not walk away from it. Along with DKG, scouting and her church, she was involved with many community organizations, including the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada, La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce, La Cañada Tournament of Roses and the Montrose Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce. She was also a strong supporter of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff Station, attending and supporting most of its events. Harriet was a beloved icon of this community.

Harriet loved life and did not waste a single moment of it. She leaves a legacy of loving and accepting people from all backgrounds and all situations. Her door was always open for those who came her way. She was always ready to greet others with a warm smile and a bit of conversation, while keeping an eye out for someone in need. She was dependable and quick to lend a helping hand at a moment’s notice. Her impressive ability to connect with others and make them feel valued created an incredible circle of connections and lifelong friendships. The world is a far better place because of Harriet Payne Hammons. She has run the race God set before her with enthusiasm and grace, and has earned the reward of being in heaven with Jesus.

In keeping with current health restrictions, an online memorial service will be held for Harriet. The link –https://venue.streamspot.com/event/MjI2NzA0Nw== – will allow friends to take part in the service virtually and will be active for one year. The service takes place at Forest Lawn – Glendale today, July 16, at 2:30 p.m. Password: hammons. All are invited to share this information with anyone who would like to take part in celebrating Harriet’s life.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers, donations in Harriet Hammons’ name be directed to: La Cañada Methodist Church, https://www.lcumc.com/giving. Click on the offering plate and under Fund, choose “Missions 2020.” A check can also be sent to 104 Berkshire Place, La Cañada, CA 91011. Note in memo section: Harriet Hammons/Missions 2020.

Donations in Harriet’s name can also be made to the Verdugo Hills Boy Scouts Council, https://donations.scouting.org/#/council/058/appeal/3035.

In the note space write “Harriet Hammons Memorial Fund.” A check can also be mailed to Scouts BSA Program Office, 1325 Grandview Ave., Glendale, CA 91201.

Donations in Harriet’s name can also be made to the La Cañada – Kiwanis Club International, https://lacanadakiwanis.org/(X(1)S(y0m1j554z3myczd0bltqnjnd))/Page/26338

Donations can also be mailed to Kiwanis, P.O. Box 33, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91012.