Obituary: Marjorie (Margie) McKay Hammond

Eureka native, Marjorie (Margie) McKay Hammond, passed away at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 27th, after a long battle with COPD.

Marjorie was born in Eureka, Nevada, on May 30, 1928 to Robert A. McKay and Carrie Gibellini McKay. She attended the local schools where she was an honor student, graduating from Eureka County High School in three years. This was during WWII and her three brothers were fighting abroad for their country, which made it necessary for Margie to complete her education and enter the workplace to help support her mother; her father having passed away when Margie was six months old.

Margie’s first job, at age sixteen, was driving the delivery truck for Kitchen Bros. Market, where she eventually worked her way up to bookkeeper, a job which she held for several years. April 17, 1946, Margie wed Austin native Albert Hammond. Al first saw Margie when he passed through Eureka on his return from the Air Force. He announced to his friend that he was going to return and marry that girl. To this union were born two children, a daughter, Carolyn (Hammond) Olsen and a son, Eddie.

In 1961, Margie and her husband Al purchased a local service station, later building a new facility and incorporating the Chevron franchise. In 1975 they began construction of the Sundown Lodge. The two businesses remained in the family until their recent sale in October.

With her husband Al, Margie traveled the rodeo circuit in northern Nevada for many years where she timed events and kept records while Al announced. They particularly enjoyed the time they spent working the high school rodeos.

Margie also assisted her husband for many years at the annual Eureka Fourth of July celebration. All announced the activities while Margie kept track of the winners for the local newspaper and awarded the prize money.

She was also an EMT, secretary of the Eureka Recreation Board and an active member of the Eastern Star. However, her love was running the Chevron Station and the Sundown Lodge where she spent the majority of her time serving the public until her declining health forced retirement in 2010.

Margie is survived by one brother, Bill McKay of Oracle, AZ, her daughter Carolyn (Ken Olsen) of Eureka, six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. Preceding her in death were her husband Al and son Eddie.

Services will be held at the Eureka Opera House Saturday, Nov 8 at 11 a.m., with graveside services immediately following. A catered luncheon will then be served at the Opera House for all attending.