Gretchen Davis Hammer

St. Johnsbury and the wider Northeast Kingdom lost one of their most devoted and compassionate advocates this week. Gretchen Helen Davis Hammer, a longtime resident and pillar of the community, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2025, in White River Junction, Vermont, with family by her side. She was 91.

Born on April 13, 1934, in Lynn, Massachusetts, Gretchen was the youngest child of Laurence and Helen (Graves) Davis, who instilled in her a strong sense of civic duty and care for others — values that would define her life’s work. She was the beloved sister of the Honorable Rev. Canon James Davis, Patricia (Davis) Hoffman, and Franklin Davis.

On July 12, 1958, she married the love of her life, Kenneth Frederick Hammer, beginning a 67-year partnership rooted in love, family, and service. Together, they raised a large and loving family that was always at the heart of her joy.

Gretchen’s commitment to the health and well-being of others shaped a lifetime career in education, health, and human services, with a special focus on women and children’s well-being, and individual and family services. She was deeply engaged in the civic life of St. Johnsbury and Vermont. After serving on various commissions, she became the first woman elected to the Town Selectboard and to serve as Chair. She worked to advance other women to office, including organizing the Northeast Kingdom for then-gubernatorial candidate Madeleine Kunin. She served on numerous boards and committees deeply meaningful to her including Vermont Children’s Aid, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, the Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees, Lyndon State College Foundation and Alumni Association, Planned Parenthood of Vermont, and Umbrella. Gretchen was a proud graduate of Saugus (MA) High School, Colby Junior College, and Lyndon State College (BA and M.Ed.) as well as an honorary graduate of St. Johnsbury Academy (H’85).

She supported generations of young people and the adults around them as guidance counselor and school psychologist at Concord High School, St. Johnsbury Middle School, and St. Johnsbury Academy, and then in private family counseling practice and as an assessor, expert witness, and guardian with vulnerable persons, their families, and court judges. She was a strong force in the practice of Reality Therapy and favored by founder Dr. William Glasser. Wherever she went, she was known for rooting for everyone, personal connection, an infectious laugh, and an extraordinary memory and grasp of details. She was also known for empowering children, clients and colleagues.

Gretchen’s strong faith guided her always, from her roots in the Saugus Episcopal Church to her South Congregational Church family in St. Johnsbury, where she served in many capacities, including Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent, Pastoral Search Committee member, and Deaconess.

Predeceased by her parents, Laurence and Helen Davis; her brother, the Rev. Canon James Davis; her sister, Patricia Hoffman; her sisters-in-law Jean Davis and Diane Davis; and her son-in-law Dick Lessard.

She is survived by her loving husband, Kenneth; her brother Franklin Davis; sister-in-law Karol Hammer Thurber; her children Karin Hammer-Williamson and husband Laurence Dean, Laurence (Mike) Hammer and his wife Angelica (Roquas) Hammer, Karol Hammer, Peter Hammer and husband Dr. Erik Lowman, Richard Hammer and wife Dr. Stacey (Richman) Hammer; foster daughter Judy Lessard, and Mark Johnson as well as her cherished grandchildren Bailey, Chase, Evan, Dylan, Olive, Rose, Naomi, Nathan, Joshua, Jakob, and Drew; great-grandchildren Sam, Lily, Ben, Ellie, and Skylee; cousin Carolyn Mugar; and beloved nieces and nephews.

Gretchen leaves behind a devoted family, close friends, and generations of a grateful community (many of whom, at one point or another, referred to her as “Mom,” prompting her own children to adopt a broad selection of alternate nicknames that continue to amuse).

Gretchen’s family offers their deepest thanks to the many clients, colleagues, community members, and other organizations she served over the years. Your friendships, trust, and shared purpose brought great joy and meaning to her life. Special appreciation is extended to the wonderful caregivers at Valley Terrace in White River Junction, Vermont, and Tina Stowell for their steady presence and loving support.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that any remembrance of Gretchen be made in her honor to Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital or to St. Johnsbury Academy — institutions very close to her heart.

Friends may call on the family on June 20, 2025 from 5-7pm at Sayles Funeral Home, 525 Summer Street, St. Johnsbury. A memorial service will be held on June 21, 2025 beginning at 10:30am at South Church, 1052 Main Street, St. Johnsbury, VT. A reception will follow at Brantview. Burial will take place at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Her legacy lives on in every life she touched, in the town she so faithfully served, and in the family she so dearly loved.