Hannah Richmond Rierson – 94, passed away on November 9, 2023, in her home at Longwood at Oakmont, Verona Pennsylvania She was a lover of life, an avid writer/artist, an adventurous traveler and a lifelong learner.

Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Nancy grew up in North Adams MA, Daytona Beach FL, and Bennington VT and then Jaffrey NH. She attended Abbot Andover Academy, Wheaton College, and earned a master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh. After graduating from Wheaton, Nancy traveled to France, Spain, and Switzerland. She then worked in New York City as an associate writer, where Hannah met her husband of 29 years, Harold H. Hammer.

Nancy and her family moved to Minneapolis in 1968 and later settled in Pittsburgh in 1972. After her positions as the Director of communications at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Director of communications at Chatham University, Nancy started and operated her own public relations firm. Nancy landed many clients in Pittsburgh area, including the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Chatham University, Upper St. Clair School District, Bethel Park School District, St. Barnabas Health System, and more. Later on, Nancy also served as a Trustee of Wheaton College and The Ellis School.

It was in Pittsburgh where Nancy's love for gardening and arts flourished. She joined the Garden Club of Allegheny County, and the Garden Club of Dublin, New Hampshire, where she enjoyed rural living in her family summer home. She took oil painting lessons to experience her natural surroundings and learned botanic photography. She served as docent for several botanical gardens. In September 2019, Nancy was awarded a GCA club award from The Garden Club of Dublin for Garden History & Design.  Nancy received numerous awards for botanical photographs and received great praise for her art exhibition at Longwood community. It was also in Pittsburgh where Nancy cherished moments with her grandchildren. She took them to church at the Shadyside Presbyterian Church, celebrated all their concerts and graduations, and taught them many life skills.

Nancy loved to travel; she embraced the countries and cultures of Russia, Norway, India, Benin, Nigeria, Indonesia, Nepal, Japan, Thailand, Egypt and many more. After retirement, she fell in love with exuberant colors of Phoenix. She explored and read extensively about Native Americans in Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada. She visited many cliff dwellings and sites s of cultural significance. During her time in Phoenix, she was also a docent at the Desert Botanic Garden in Phoenix and volunteer for Heard Museum.

Nancy lived a great live worth celebrating.

Nancy is predeceased by her younger brother Clinton Q. Richmond, older brother Charles Richmond, and three husbands, Harold Hammer, Richard Clay and Robert Rierson. She is survived by her son John R. Hammer, (Jihong) granddaughters Sonya and Anya Hammer, daughter Elizabeth (Beth) H. Genter (David) and granddaughters Ellie, Isabelle, Anna Genter.

A Memorial Service will be held at Longwood at Oakmont Chapel, on November 18, 2023, at 11 A.M.

A Memorial Service will be held at The Shadyside Presbyterian Church, on December 18, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. with a visitation at 10:00 A.M.

Memorial gifts can be sent to The Garden Club of Allegheny County https://www.gcacpgh.org/ PO Box 368 Sewickley, PA 15143 or the Garden Club of Dublin https://gardenclubofdublin.com/

Arrangements entrusted to BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME, CREMATION AND ALTERNATIVE SERVICES, INC., Oakmont.