Catherine E. Hammond Willett

Catherine Elizabeth Hammond Willett, 98, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2024, surrounded by love. She was born to Horace and Willie Sarah Hammond, one of 15 children, in Exmore, Virginia. Catherine’s family relocated to Oyster Bay, New York, and she was a proud graduate of Oyster Bay High School.

In 1949, Catherine married her beloved husband, Leander V. Willett Jr., with whom she shared a loving and enduring partnership until his passing. Her family was the center of her life, and she took great pride in her role as mother to Leander III, Lynne, Debra, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt to an army of nieces and nephews. Catherine epitomized the belief that it takes a village to raise a child, and her role as mother extended to friends and her beloved neighbors, many that she considered her kids as well.

Her dedication to her church and community was demonstrated through her involvement with Oyster Bay Schools while her children were growing up, and later through her activity with her church throughout her life. From Mount Olive Baptist Church in Oyster Bay to Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Central Islip Catherine’s extended church family supported and sustained her.

Catherine’s interests were always based on family. Travel such as annual trips to Montauk Point, the Shinnecock Pow Wow and visiting family in Philadelphia and Virginia always included a caravan of family and a picnic basket of her famous fried chicken and an Entenmann’s coffee cake. Catherine loved cooking for family and friends and was known for her fried chicken and sweet potato pie among other specialties. Catherine and Lee loved music, and her favorites included everyone from Duke Ellington and Sarah Vaughn to Lionel Richie. Catherine was known for her love of shopping and fashion and was remembered as The Hat Lady by many.

Catherine will be remembered for her boundless love, her unwavering strength, and the joy she brought to all who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, warmth, and dedication to her family, and will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Mt. Olive Baptist Church which her mother helped found and where Catherine and Lee where the first couple to be married.