For her generosity and participation, Renee Hamad shines in Sarasota

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When I met Dr. Karen Hamad—one dynamic, determined, big-hearted gal—I wondered what sort of mother raised such a child.  So I tracked her down.  Turns out her mom created the mold. (In case you missed my earlier story about Karen, here’s a link.)

Renee Hamad preceded Karen in receiving philanthropic awards in Sarasota.  And she’s not just generous. She rolls up her sleeves.   Plus, as a mom, she raised two talented offspring.  Karen and son Dr. Michael Hamad, a music critic who also creates Phish Maps. (These intricate drawings involve music signs and notations based on the Phish rock band.)  Both kids check in with their mom  every morning.

Renee was a devoted corporate wife.  Husband Sam, a successful businessman, died at 66.  To cope, Renee enrolled in the Program for Experienced Learners (PEL) program at Eckerd College.  She had to start from scratch, as 2 years she’d spent earlier in Cairo weren’t accepted.  She attended classes at night, 2 courses at a time.  After nine years, she graduated with a B.A. in Human Development, the school’s first recipient of the Phi Beta Kappa Award.

If you’ve read Lucette Lagnado’s memoir, The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit, Renee’s story is similar.  The Perlo family was close friends with the Lagnados, also affluent Egyptians.  Renee’s father inherited a business that manufactured powders, such as talcum powder, then used to keep rubber tires from sticking together.

At 17, Renee attended the American University in Cairo.  New students were assigned a junior to help advise them.  On her first day of college, Renee spotted a handsome student “with a green sweater to match his green eyes.”  He was carrying a sign with names of 3 freshmen in Arabic; Renee was happy hers was one of them.   She asked him to help her with paperwork.  At the end of that day, Sam Hamad invited her to dinner.

Renee and Sam dated for 2 years.  When Sam graduated, he left for Canada to pursue a career in pharmaceutical sales.  They stayed in close touch.  In 1965, Renee and her family came to America.     Arriving in Boston, she worked for Prudential Insurance as a Girl Friday.  (An invaluable assistant, the expression–no longer p.c.– comes from the castaway Robinson Crusoe picked up on a Friday.  But you knew that.)

Though Renee’s parents disapproved of her relationship with Sam, love prevailed.  Sam obtained a visa to come and get Renee in August, 1965.  They married later that month.  Renee left her parents’ home with nothing but her handbag.  Sam took her to a department store to buy necessities.  They found a Justice of the Peace in the Yellow Pages.  “He was hard of hearing, mumbling our vows under his breath.  I  repeated them as well as I could, since I wasn’t savvy in English.”  The marriage lasted 43 years, until Sam died.

In 1969, Karen was born.  The Hamads had moved to suburban Montreal.  Then unable to drive, Sam often away on business, Renee took public transportation everywhere, baby in tow. Meanwhile, Sam rose  through the ranks of pharma companies Merck Sharp and Dohme.  He ultimately ran the international division of Bristol-Myers Squibb.

During Sam’s career, the couple moved 24 times.  Renee became “an expert at packing and unpacking.” She also learned to drive.  With each move, Renee considered it her “job to lighten Sam’s burden and take over the responsibility for settling the family in.”

After Sam retired, the couple moved to a large home in Sarasota.  Sam engaged in real estate development.  Trained as a child as a concert pianist, Renee began holding concerts in their living room.

Her widowed mother, Nini, also a pianist, moved to  the family compound.  Nini & Renee began conducting concerts, raising money for local charities.  Nini gave free piano lessons to students age 3-93.

When Sam became ill, Renee took time off from school.  After he died, her mother advised, “It’s important to finish what you start.”  Renee resumed her studies.  At Eckerd, Renee became friends with classmate April Glasco. (Do you recall April’s story? Here’s a link.) A young, unwed, African-American mother from an impoverished part of Sarasota, April was determined to help her community.  Renee became v.p. of April’s grass roots organization Second Chance Last Opportunity.

And that’s not all…

Renee downsized her house but not her philanthropy.  She sits on the board of 12 non-profits.    “No isn’t part of my vocabulary,” she says.  “I have a soft heart for those less fortunate.”

Renee chaired the board of the Sarasota Women’s Resource Center for 6 years.  She personally distributed intake forms to women seeking help.  Renee and Karen raised enough money to fund 9 full-ride scholarships to Sarasota’s New College for girls from the Middle East.  During holidays, these girls live with Renee and Karen and their friends.  A fine cook, Renee prepares Middle Eastern dishes and speaks to them in Arabic.  “It makes them feel less homesick.”

When Nini turned 89, her students rented a hall and gave a concert in her honor.  One day soon after, Renee brought her mother lunch as usual.  When she entered the house, her mother was playing an “extraordinary” piece, by heart.  “’Ma, I never heard you play that before,” Renee said.  “She just smiled.  Her face was transformed.”  Minutes later, Nini died of a stroke.

As if Renee doesn’t have enough to keep her busy, she needlepoints.  Wall hangings, trays, pillows and rugs of her own creation line her antiques-filled Sarasota home.

She bought this house for the dining room wall, large enough to display her 9’x13’ tapestry on astrological signs, originally made as a rug.

But service to others remains Renee’s primary focus.   “I’m motivated, energetic and enthusiastic.  I try to deliver on my promises.  I avoid judging people.  When sad, instead of complaining I look to the less fortunate.  In a few words, I aspire to be like my role model, my mom, Nini.”

Brava, Renee, on such generosity and so much to be proud of.  Sarasota is  blessed to have you.

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3 thoughts on “For her generosity and participation, Renee Hamad shines in Sarasota

  1. Carol Vengroff

    Renee is one of my hero’s. This is beautifully written Suzy. Thank you for this inspirational testament to a true luminary.

  2. Suzy Farbman Post author

    as emailed from Renee Hamad
    Superb article!!! Thank you sooo much!!! Brought tears to my eyes!!!

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