Haseltine French Ham

Haseltine French Ham formerly of Falls Church VA, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother and friend, died Easter Sunday March 23, 2008 at age 93. Born May 25, 1914 in Covington VA, she was the youngest of four children of the late John and Lou Harper. Mrs. Ham moved to Washington D.C in the late 20’s where she married Leonard Oden. She was left with the sole responsibility of raising the couple’s children with the sudden death of Leonard at the age of 26. She worked as a seamstress before marrying the late George Allen Ham in 1941. While her husband served in the Coast Guard during WWII, she helped with the war effort by working at the Navel Gun Factory in Washington D.C. Two daughters were born to the couple before the death of her husband in 1960. Between the years 1954 until her retirement in 1986, she found immense pride and great joy in her work as a Histology Technician. Beginning with the Georgetown School of Medicine and for over 30 years with The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) she was held in high esteem, earning many awards and accolades including becoming the first person honored nationally for her outstanding work as the Histology Technician of the Year. A friend to many, her co-workers at AFIP became part of her extended family. Since retiring and moving to the Eastern Shore to live with her daughter Patricia and son-in-law Harry, she had the well-earned time to visit with family, read, sew, admire the many birds visiting her feeders and most of all spend time with her best pal, her cat Sparky. Mrs. Ham is survived by her children, June C. Zimmermann wife of the late Dr. Gordon A. Zimmermann, Sally and her husband Edward Kohrn, Richard L.Oden and his wife Catherine, Patricia and her husband Harry Jordan and Marie and her husband John Jenkins; 14 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 18 great-great grandchildren. In addition, she leaves many special friends including Jack Bart Wenger who was like a son in his devotion and caring. Two sisters and a brother preceded her in death. Services will be held Tuesday April 1, 2008 at 12:00 noon at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 100 Peach Blossom Rd. Easton, MD where friends may call one hour prior to the service. A private burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. The family suggests contributions be made to St Mark’s United Methodist Church Building Fund, 100 Peach Blossom Rd., Easton, MD 21601 or St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105. Arrangements are by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Easton, MD.