Ernestine Leah Hammond, known to most as Leah, of Apalachin passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the age of 83. Born in June 1942, Leah was the daughter of Mildred and Ernest Givens of Elmira.

Leah graduated from Elmira College with a degree in psychology and began her career at IBM Owego. She worked there for 48 years as a software engineer and manager before retiring from Lockheed Martin. She found great joy in solving puzzles through her work and cherished collaborating with her colleagues.

A chance meeting on the way home from the library grew into a decades long love when Leahmarried Henry Hammond in 1965. The pair was nearly inseparable for more than 57 years. Leah often remarked that Henry was the best person with whom she could take on this world.And that with a friend like him, anything was possible.Together, they built a life filled with shared dreams and enduring companionship.

Committed to her community, Leah was a long-time member of Union Presbyterian Church inEndicott where she served multiple terms as a deacon and elder. She was also a member of the Apalachin Lions Club and the Owego Rotary Club. Her dedication to her community extended to serving on the boards of the Binghamton Philharmonic, the Samaritan Counseling Center, and the United Way of Tioga County among other groups. Leah was proud to have spent many years on the on the Town of Owego Planning Board, helping guide growth in her community.Leah's passion for learning and understanding the world was evident in her love for reading, travel, and lively discussions. She sought to leave the world a better place by connecting peoplewith each other and building a strong, sustainable, and robust community.

More than that, though, Leah sought to enjoy every moment she could. One of the most outgoing introverts you will ever meet, she enjoyed laughing with friends and family, live music, and trying new things that just seemed like they could be fun.

Leah is survived by her daughter Tiffany Hammond; brother Leonard Givens; sisters Patricia Spencer and Courtney (Russell) Smith; and several beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Henry Hammond, parents Mildred and Ernest Givens, and sister Margaret "Peggy" Gilmore.

May Leah's memory inspire all who knew her to embrace life with curiosity, an eye for adventure, kindness to the community, and openness to challenges. Calling hours will beThursday, April 9th from 5-7pm at Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home in Endicott. Her funeral will be held at Union Presbyterian Church in Endicott on April 10th at 11am.