Jeffrey Ward Hammersla - Obituary

effrey (Jeff) Ward Hammersla, 72, of Stevensville, MD,passed away on December 14, 2025, at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Center, Annapolis, MD, after a series of illnesses. Jeff was born in Cumberland, MD, on November 20, 1953, to the late Edgar Ward Hammersla and Elizabeth Hipp Hammersla. As a youth, he enjoyed playing sports, especially basketball. He also was interested in space exploration and followed events at NASA; he kept a model of one of the Gemini rockets in his bedroom. He was also a member of the Methodist Youth Fellowship and sang in the church choir. In 1971, Jeff graduated from Bel Air High School in Bel Air, MD where he played the clarinet in the high school band. During his high school years, he was a driver for the town apothecary. Following graduation, Jeff attended Western Maryland College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Early Childhood Education in 1975. He later earned an Advanced Professional Certificate in Education. Jeff worked for the Calvert County Public Schools for 30 years as an elementary school teacher in grades K-3. Educating children was his passion. Long after he retired in 2006, colleagues, parents, and students alike continued to praise him for his teaching, but more importantly, for his caring nature and his sense of humor. Until he passed away, Jeff kept in touch with many of his former students, encouraging and supporting them in their personal lives. In his free time, Jeff enjoyed the research and collection of firearms. He was an avid reader of mysteries and other fiction, and he spent many hours watching sporting events, especially baseball and football. He was a longtime fan of the Orioles, the Washington Commanders, the Ravens, and the Baltimore Colts before they moved to Indianapolis. More than anything, Jeff loved his wife, Frances Garvey Hammersla, whom he met at Mutual Elementary School in Calvert County, MD, where they were both teachers. They married in 1981, and during their 44 years of marriage, they lived in St. Leonard, MD, until they moved to Stevensville, MD, in 2020. Jeff is survived by his beloved wife, Frances of Stevensville, MD; his brother, Mark Hammersla of Amesbury, MA; his precious dog, Mollie of 10 years; a brother-in law, Christopher Garvey (Cheryl); sister-in-law, Durinda Smith; his godson, Benjamin Smith, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Celebration of Life to remember Jeff is planned from 11AM until 2PM on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, 180 Pier Run Road, Stevensville, MD 21666. If you are able to attend, please RSVP to Fran at 410-610-1644 or Retiredfran@comcast.net no later than Friday, January 16., In Jeff’s memory, donations can be made to: American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, or Special Olympics Virginia Area 26, PO Box 396, Oakton, VA 22124 (Please write "Area 26" on the memo line of the check). Online condolences or memories may be offered using the Memories link on this page.