Tenney Chamberlain Hammond of Butte, Montana, passed away on Sunday, September 1, with us (her children, Joshua and Jennie) by her side. She died peacefully as the sun set, just 4 days shy of her 76th birthday.
As her kids, we knew that Mom loved us the most, but we also knew we had some stiff competition. First, there were her dogs. Mom always had one or two dogs by her side, from Gabriel and Jubilee, the two golden retrievers we had as kids in Dillon, to Shadow, an Idaho Shag with the eyebrows of an aging English professor, who survived her. In between, there were Kisses, Natty, Sparky, Abby, Lily, and Pip. Each dog was devoted to Mom, and she was devoted to them.
But Mom’s other great love–her purpose, really–was teaching. If you picture your favorite high school English teacher, the one who was equal parts supportive and terrifying, the one who could lend you just the right book at just the right moment, the one who showed you the power of being a good writer and an avid reader, you are probably picturing our Mom. Described variously as “straight-forward,” “no-nonsense,” and “rude,” Mom refused to let her students (or her kids) make excuses or give up on themselves.
You see, Mom had remarkable confidence in her own abilities and an iron will: she never met a project that she couldn’t accomplish or a problem she couldn’t solve. While we were growing up, there was almost always an ambitious do-it-yourself project going on at home. She refinished woodwork, floors, and furniture; installed appliances and hung cabinets; retiled bathrooms and kitchens–if she hadn’t found teaching, she could have been a sought-after general contractor. She was an excellent gardener and grew much of her own summer produce. Mom was always moving, doing, working, except when she found a good book.
Ultimately, what Mom passed down to her students was self-confidence and resilience. At the Butte Literacy Program, where she served as program coordinator for the past seven years, she helped adults earn their high school diplomas. These students had either given up on education or felt that the education system had given up on them. Sure, they needed to master certain subjects to pass the exams, but more importantly, they had to believe that they could master these subjects and that they themselves were worth the time spent studying. Mom may have taught a lot of grammar and essay writing, but this is her real legacy: she made students believe in themselves so that they could go out and do whatever they wanted with the skills she gave them.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Mom touched thousands of lives throughout her teaching career. We wish we could name all of her students–from Baltimore and Cleveland to Dillon and Butte. We imagine that no small percentage of them name her as an important teacher, mentor, or friend. But it will have to suffice to mention her family, who doubt they will ever meet someone as passionate and stubborn as she was. Tenney is survived by her children, Joshua Andrew Hammond of Newport, Rhode Island, his wife Shannon and their daughter Jane; and Jennie Hedler Phillis of Chicago, Illinois, and her husband Richard; by her sister Glen Chamberlain of Bozeman, Montana, and her husband Tom Barrett; by her brother Jay Chamberlain; by her niece Helen Chamberlain; by her nephew Milton Jay Chamberlain of Kansas City, Kansas, his wife Caitlin, and their children Hendrix and Evelyn; and by her nephew Thomas Harold Barrett, of Bozeman, Montana, his wife Kate, and their daughter Quinn. We love you, Mom.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Butte Literacy Program, 226 W Broadway, Butte, Montana 59701.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care for Tenney and her family.
Please visit below to leave her family a condolence, or to share a memory of Tenney.
Bonnie Joseph says
To Tenney’s children and family,
I am so very sorry to hear about Tenney’s passing. She was a joy to care for at the Copper Ridge.
Much love to you,
Bonnie Joseph
Donald Sullivan says
Tenny came into our life’s through the literacy center. She clearly loves our children and showed them kindness that is hard to find these day. That you Tenny for all your dedication and support. Blessings to you family. Our prayers are with them.
Colton Myers says
I’m grateful to have known you, thanks for all your support and kindness.
Amelia T. says
Tenney, you were a pillar to the butte community and had a wealth of knowledge. Thank you for being the reason I didn’t give up on graduating. Prayers to her family and friends.
Caleb H says
I work at the library, and loved my conversations with Tenney. She will be sorely missed.
Todd Springer says
Josh and Jennie, I’m very sorry for your loss. Some of my best Christmas memories were making cookies with Mrs. Hammond.
Josh Rovner says
Josh and Jennie,
I’m so sorry to hear this. Your mom was such a fixture of my growing up in high school. I always enjoyed her sharp wit and fun personality. And I also loved her cooking, too!
May her memory be a blessing to you. I will always have fond memories of her.
Jean and Jim F. says
Our deepest sympathy to Tenney’s family. Because she impacted so many lives in a positive way, Tenney will not be forgotten. She was ALWAYS there with her caring heart and patience for her family, friends, coworkers, students of all ages and pets. Tenney’s love of teaching was truly inspirational.
We miss you so much Tenney. Thank you for being such a dear, dear friend.
Teresa Franklin says
My heart goes out to the Hammond family and friends in the passing of Tenny. I have been a friend of Tenney’s for twenty-four years filled with laughter, wisdom and the special unselfish giving that was uniquely, Tenney. Tenny touched the lives of so many students and always held them to a high standard of academic excellence.
To Jenny, Josh and the Hammond family and friends, I sincerely hope you find peace and solace in the fact that Tenney has moved on to the next venture and will continue to motivate and touch all who knew her spirit.
Cathy F. Maloney says
Josh & Jennie,
Your Mother was a true rock star in her purposeful way. This obituary describes her very well, I felt each of these feelings, she might have been small in stature, but large in heart.
She did think highly of each of you, you truly were her favorite… Yes, I’m thinking of you 🙂 Her sister and her Shadow were also her favorites. I thought for a while that I was as well, she loved us all.
Our lives are greatly blessed because she passed through. Thank you for sharing her with us, she will be sadly missed. Condolences – Cathy
Violet Taylor says
I’m so sorry for your loss. As a beginning teacher, I enjoyed teaching with Tenney at Glenville High School. She took me under her wing and made me the teacher I am today. She was an excellent teacher and mentor.
John Sandford says
Our condolences. Tenney was an amazing person and teacher. She really helped me a lot as a tutor with the Butte Literacy Program. She really was passionate about the program and I really appreciated it. Rest in peace Tenney.
Patty Higinbotham says
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing woman. I said she was sent from God to save our literacy program and she did. Before her death she received two honors. She was presented with the Community Impact Award from the Butte Local Development and the Montana Quarterly Magazine published an extensive article about the impact and achievements she made in our Literacy Program. How lucky I was to be able to call her my friend. I will really miss her. I am so grateful for all that she has done to help us succeed in our mission. We have big shoes to fill but are inspired to keep her kegacy alive. She will be watching and guiding us
Theresa Ormandy says
Please accept our deepest condolences for you loss!
Cleveland Teachers Union
Retiree Chapter 279R
President Hazel Hicks
Sunshine Committee
Theresa Ormandy
Theresa Ormandy says
Our hearts and thoughts are with you during this time of grieving!
Sarah and Josh Bleuer says
To Josh, Jennie and all of Tenney’s family and friends, please accept our deepest sympathies for your loss. My parents got to know Tenney through CMSD. She stayed in touch with me when I moved out of state. When I met my husband Josh she became his friend too. Tenney remained a dear family friend who always offered her support. Somehow, she always knew exactly what to say.
If Tenney could help someone, she did. The pride Tenney felt when her students succeeded was never in herself. She always wanted to do more. That’s who Tenney was as an educator, person and friend- the best. We loved her and we miss her so much.
Brie says
Brie
Tenny, put so much effort into helping me find the right tutors and she listened to my needs, she was a blessing. I truly thank her for all she has done for me.
Khalia whitlow says
Sending you my deepest condolences. She was my teacher for 4 years in honors English at glenville high school . She was a tough cookie and nothing can get passed her . She pushed and pushed us to be the best we could have been . She never let us say what we couldn’t do she said always say say what you could do . We love you Ms. Hammond class of 2011 honors . Get your rest you did so well with us .
Jared Peters says
I was another English student at Glenville in Cleveland and I have to say, she was so stern in that first hour or so of school for me and our class haha but she blew my mind with how she got us all on the same page as a class! She made intelligence common for our class and didn’t allow me or anybody to take us off task!
Presious says
Ms. Hammond was one of a kind. I was a student of hers at Glenville. Oh, do I remember the ” The Myth of Sisyphus” and “The Yellow Wallpaper” in honors English. I remember when I skipped her class and she came looking for me. Ha ha…She knew how to push you to do great. She was so passionate and dedicated. I hadn´t spoken to her in years but earlier this year I sent her a copy of my book. I hope she had gotten the chance to read it. She always pushed me to write! She always pushed me to read!
Mary Ragbourn says
Oh, dear Tenney. We were friends for 51 years and made each other laugh and shared our mutual insecurities. We shared silliness, and she could be really silly! We well remember Gabe and Jubilee from the beginning and those tails that could swipe her coffee table clean. She has my heart and I do so miss our ridiculous messages. I will forever miss my dearest friend.
Sharon Morehouse says
Josh and Jennie, I just learned of your mother’s passing and I am truly sorry for your loss! Thank you, Josh, for reaching out to let me know.
Tenney was an incredible friend! We spent many hours together, while raising our children in Dillon. We remained in touch through the years, even after the Hammond family moved around.
Our school district was fortunate to have her as a parent. She was an advocate for quality education and student needs and while being a stay at home Mom, formed the first parent group, Dillon Parent Council. It is still active today.
How proud you must be of her many achievements through the years! Those of us who knew her were truly blessed 🙏
Lisa Logan says
I am so sorry to hear that the world has lost Tenney Hammond. She and her kids adopted me as part of their family when I worked at Kent State in the 99s. Tenney and I solved a lot of problems on our walks with Natty and Kisses, and Tenney made Canton feel like home. Jenny and Josh were the most delightful high schoolers I’ve ever met. No one could get things done and fix things right like Tenney. I’m so glad she got back to Butte to be a literacy hero once again. Tenney, thank you for your love and care and for giving my new kitten a flea bath and a name. I am so grateful for the love you showed me, and whenever I need a cheerleader or want to be one myself, I think of you. So much love to Josh and Jenny and all who knew The unstoppable Tenney. xoxo