On Thursday, December 18, 2014, we lost our beautiful mother, Bertha Anna Hammond. Mom was born in Boston, Massachusetts 91 years ago to Lithuanian parents. Her father, John Francis Kasulis, passed away before she was two years old. Her mother, Rosalia, raised her three surviving children, Rose, Bertha, and Walter in "Southie".Mom married at the age of 20 to Jack Staley Hammond who was serving in the United States Navy. For a young lady who grew up never leaving Boston, she then travelled and lived in such cities as San Francisco, San Diego, New York City, Philadelphia, Charleston, and St. Simons Island to meet up with Dad whenever he came into port. She always said that she cherished this exciting part of her life. Bertha and Jack settled in Roanoke, Virginia in 1960.Bertha was an immaculate homemaker, sometimes babysitter, and worked in later years at Greenvale Nursery School, serving nutritious meals to hundreds of children. But Mom was most devoted to taking care of her children, Linda, Robert and Nancy. Linda served as Mom's devoted caregiver in later years and as her "chauffeur".Dad passed away 17 years earlier; however, we believe what kept Mom physically and emotionally strong was her two precious grandchildren, Matthew and Megan whom she deeply loved and wanted to see grow up. Mom is also survived by her son-in-law, Wayne Withers, and several nephews. Her children would like to thank the staff at Carilion Roanoke Memorial and Our Lady of the Valley for their dedication and kindness during her short stays.Visitation will be held 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, December 21, 2014 at Oakey's South Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 22, 2014 at Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church with the Reverend Monsignor Joseph P. Lehman officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bertha's memory may be made to the American Heart Association or the Macular Degeneration Foundation.