Carol G. Hammel of Water Mill died March 13 at Southampton Hospital after a series of illnesses. Remembered by family for her warmth and intelligence, she was 61.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, she graduated from local public schools before working as an operator for the New York Telephone Company. She was promoted several times, rising through the ranks to chief operator and middle management positions and retired in 1996 having completed 30 years of service. While employed, she took various college courses, culminating in graduation with a bachelor of arts degree with magna cum laude honors from Southampton College in 1998.
During the past 15 years, she volunteered with the Rogers Memorial Library, Literacy Volunteers, and Southampton Historical Museum. In addition to gardening and cooking, she was an avid reader and enjoyed attending many book club meetings. She and her husband, Robert Hammel, whom she married in 1992, were members of the Bull Head Yacht Club and enjoyed power boat cruising, including a 10-month trip along the Intracoastal Waterway to the Florida Keys.
Survivors said this week that she had a great sense of humor and a hearty laugh, and will be missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her husband, Robert Hammel, she is survived by a daughter, Julie Grau of Selden; and three stepdaughters, Jean Brooks, Carolyn Hammel and Susan Mangini, all of New Jersey.
The family received visitors on March 16 at Hale & Lynch Funeral Home in Middle Island, where a prayer service was conducted on March 17.