Maureen Cecile Strait, age 84, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on October 27, 2023, in Kennewick, Washington.

Maureen was born on November 16, 1938, to George and Meretta (O'Brien) Poorman in Boise, Idaho. She grew up in a family of 5 siblings. Her older siblings, George, Betty, and Jerald (Jerry); her identical twin sister, Coleen; and her younger sister, Mildred (Midge).

The family moved to Kennewick, Washington in 1947. After graduating from Kennewick High School in 1957, Maureen moved to Spokane, Washington where she attended classes at Kinman Business University. She married Oliver Hammer in 1958, and they had four children. She moved back to Kennewick, Washington, in 1978 and held a variety of secretarial jobs until she began

working at Southside Church as a secretary/bookkeeper in 1985. She worked there until she retired in 2011.

Maureen enjoyed gardening, sewing, listening to Seattle Mariners games, watching the Seahawks, and volunteering at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center. She was an avid bowler and traveled throughout the United States for bowling competitions. Maureen attended Southside Church from 1982 until her death. During her years in attendance, she sang in the choir, attended Bible study, served as secretary on the Diaconate, and served as secretary on the board of American Baptist Churches.

Maureen is preceded in death by her father, George Farelle Poorman; mother, Meretta (O'Brien) Poorman; brothers, George and Jerald Poorman; sister, Betty Downing; son, Gary Hammer; and grandson, Jack Hammer. Maureen is survived by two of her siblings, Coleen Raskell and Mildred Couch; children, John Hammer, Coleen (Darrell) Raines, and Greg (Suzie) Hammer; 8 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and nephews and nieces.

Maureen's family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Regency Canyon Lakes for the excellent care and love they gave to Maureen. Maureen was extremely thankful for the staff and especially for her nurse, Jennifer. The family would also like to thank Maureen's cardiologist, Mershed K. Alsamara, as Maureen was so appreciative of his personalized care.

There will be a memorial service at Southside Church, Richland, Washington, on November 18, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. Maureen will be greatly missed.