Maria Josefa Pingel

Maria “Pepi” Josefa Pingel, 78, entered eternal rest on January 27, 2026, in Virginia Beach, VA.

She was born March 3, 1947, in El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Spain, to Josefa Campos Sala and Esteban Sierpes Gil. Becoming a U.S. citizen in 1982 ranked among the proudest moments of her life. 

Maria was strong and stubborn in the greatest way, never afraid to speak her mind. She loved her games of bingo and parcheesi, dancing flamenco, and passionately cheering for her favorite teams, the Dallas Cowboys and Real Madrid. She happily indulged any request from her children and grandchildren for a Spanish tortilla or paella.

She is survived by her children, Mike Hammers (Claudia), Joseph Hammers (Kim), Christina Viola (Jason), Dorathy Mittelstaedt (Matthew), and Nicholas Pingel (Brittany); daughter in law, Ginny Hammers; 7 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren, and sister, Carmen Beckett, along with extended family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jack Pingel, son, Robert Bruce Hammers, parents, and 5 siblings.