Carey Hammett Obituary

Carey O'Kelley Salmon Hammett passed away on February 27 at an age of @@@ (our mother would never have wanted her age in the newspaper!). Carey's life was guided by a love for aesthetics with a passion for design, architecture, beautiful oak trees and eventually, zoning. She was born in Royston, Georgia to Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford Linton O'Kelley. She grew up in Athens, Georgia where she attended high school and later, the University of Georgia. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, on the Homecoming Court, Pandora Beauty Court and a Sweetheart of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. In her junior year, she transferred to Sophie Newcomb where she also was on the Homecoming Court. It was in New Orleans that Carey met her first husband, Clarke Salmon, Jr., an advertising executive with Bauerlein Advertising Company. She had her first child, Katharine, before her husband's death two years later. Following, Carey pursued a career in modeling and was a member of the Fashion Mannequins of New Orleans. (Her time as a model created a lifelong love of Pucci clothing; she donned crazy Pucci prints until her last days.) In 1964, Governor John McKeithen invited Carey to serve as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, which she considered an honor and a privilege. This appointment was covered by the Times Picayune describing her as the "Secret Weapon" of the convention. In 1964, Carey married Donald Albert Hammett of Hammett, Leake and Hammett law firm and they had two children, Kelley and Donald. In 1967, the family moved to Old Metairie bringing her to the neighborhood she would come to love. Carey's interior design career involved decorating numerous private residences and businesses. Starting in 1972, she ran her business out of her store, the 20th Century Shop, a lively venue for home design located at 1612 St. Charles Avenue. The store achieved national acclaim for tabletop design; and she was often to be found lunching across the street at Flamingos. Carey loved her time serving as chair of the Design Council for the Louisiana Governors' Mansion and had the pleasure of serving under Governors Foster, Blanco and Jindal. Carey also had an incredible love for trees and the beautiful streetscape of Northline (and a strong distaste for those who cut them down!). She served on the Old Metairie Commission (OMC), the Board of Metairie Club Gardens, and Friends of Jefferson the Beautiful (FJB) for many years. In 2001, Carey spearheaded the founding of the Annual Tree School which provided education to urban planners, home builders, property owners and others on how best to protect the urban forestry canopy. The Tree School gained national attention with National Arbor Day Foundation awards in two separate years. The now renamed "Carey Hammett Tree School" continues going strong, and she was delighted with the official renaming this year. Her passion for good design extended to zoning with her appointment to the Jefferson Parish Bureau of Zoning Adjustment (BZA). Carey served for many years on the BZA and most recently served for her good friend, Jennifer Van Vrancken. She loved her cases and the people who brought them; she took her preparation seriously studying architectural plans and driving all over her district for site visits. The work for the BZA was a highlight of her later years. Carey, also known as "Sis" to her G-people, is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren including: Katherine Salmon St. Paul (Dunbar), Kelley Hammett Trammell (Harper), Donald Albert Hammett, Katie Yopp Challen (James), Mary Ann Yopp Thayer (Khris), Carey O'Kelley Yopp, Victoria Lynn Hammett, Elizabeth Ann Hammett, Madeline Grace Hammett, Bryan O'Kelley Trammell, Sophie Hammett Trammell, Parker Challen, Landers Challen, Rivers Thayer, Kai Thayer and Adair Sitzmann McLoughlin. She also leaves behind her amazing side-kick, Erica Hall, to whom the family is so grateful. And, a special thanks to Aaron Coniker who has provided companionship for both Carey and her furry friends. The last year has also been brightened by those who have visited our household to see our mom including Patricia Lewis, Corliss Adams, Gwen Morris, Naomi Lanne, Lakitta Clark and Fr. Michael Burke (who provided invaluable spiritual guidance). To the staff of Metairie Country Club who so graciously provided mom with her half & halfs, black napkins, and the "old" wine glasses, we are so appreciative for your generous hugs and kindness over the years. Finally, to her best friend Sue Ellen, we celebrate your hundreds of lunches and endless glasses of wine. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation at 11:00 am and a service at 12:00 pm on March 16, 2024 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana 70124 with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Friends of Jefferson the Beautiful or ARNO.