Florence M. Hammel, 81, formerly of 7 Ferree Circle, Lancaster, passed away on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at Pleasant View Retirement Community.

She was the wife of the late Arthur K. Hammel for 57 years prior to his death in 2007.  Born in Lancaster, Flossie was the daughter of the late Harry and Florence (Schaefer) Poole.  She grew up in her brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Mary's home in Bausman, and graduated from Penn Manor High School in 1949.

Flossie and her husband moved to Washington D.C. where she worked as a secretary for the Bureau of Standards. Returning to Lancaster County to raise her family, they moved to Denwood (Kirkwood). She called her home "the Woods". This was the best time of her life, and she enjoyed the flowers, the horses, winter weather with her husband and children.

She and her husband owned and operated grocery stores in Lancaster and Quarryville for many years.  She was also employed as a Teacher's Aide with IU13 and St. Anne Parochial School for 13 years prior to her retirement in 1996.

Flossie and her husband, Art, did many things together: they enjoyed opera, musicals, concerts, and traveling. Quoting Flossie, "People made my life enjoyable."  Everyone had something to share with her.

She is survived by her children, Kenneth D. Hammel, husband of Barbara, of Lancaster, Lynn L. Hammel of Elizabethtown, and Joanne E. Hammel of New Hampton, NH, 6 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.  In addition to her husband and parents, Flossie was preceded in death by her siblings, Violet DeVerter, Ethel McComber, Fred and Charles Poole.

Friends will be received on Monday, March 19, 2012 from 10 until 11 AM at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 414 E. King St., Lancaster, PA 17602, with the funeral service to follow at 11 AM. Interment will take place in Centerville Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Florence's memory may be made to OperaLancaster, P.O. Box 8382, Lancaster, PA 17604-8382. To send an online condolence, visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory 717-393-9661