Mary Frances Spears passed away on May 30, 2010 at the age of 82 as the result of a massive stroke, and is now in the loving arms of God. She was born Mary Frances Bailey on July 25, 1927 in Spokane, WA, to David and Frances Bailey. She was an only child, and the delight of her parents. She attended North Central High School, and later Washington State University in Pullman, where she graduated cum laude with a degree in English Literature and Psychology. It was here she met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Spears, a returning WWII vet on the G.I. bill. They were married in 1949, and moved to Seattle, WA to accommodate Bob’s job with Boeing as an engineer.
In 1954 they welcomed a son, William (Bill), followed in 1957 by a daughter Linda. Mary loved being a mother, and made sure her children had all the advantages, protection, and love she could give them. She never relinquished this job, and later extended it to include her son and daughter-in-law, whom she loved dearly. She was very creative, and fell in love with indoor and outdoor gardening, flower arranging and oriental décor. She became a very talented cook with a special flair for Italian cooking, which her family enjoyed thoroughly throughout the years.
In 1968 she and Bob moved to what is now Newcastle, and built their dream home overlooking Lake Washington. She designed and installed all the beautiful landscaping on the hillside site, especially delighting in her favorite rhododendrons. From her living room she never tired of watching the ever-changing view of the lake, and from here she fed her beloved feathered friends of all types. She was a consummate birder, with an especial affinity for owls, hummingbirds and loons. She was never without her field glasses, and every vacation included time for birding.
She loved to travel, starting with early camping trips with the kids to the ocean and the mountains. Later she and Bob took trips to farther destinations, touring almost every corner of the country and much of Canada. She especially loved Hawaii with all of the lush vegetation, flowers, and unique birds. But she always returned to the Washington and Oregon coast as her favorite destination.
She was an avid reader with a profound love of books. She worked as a librarian at various times in her life, but it could be said that she had her very own library at home, supplying reading material for all who came to her. In support of her husband she also became a proficient golfer in mid-life, and insisted on encouraging her husband’s love of the game. She even had a hole-in-one to her credit! Now every trip included golf clubs as well as field glasses.
She was an avid and knowledgeable fan of all of the Seattle sports teams, but was especially fond of the Mariners. She was staunchly conservative politically, and a devoted patriot with a deep love of country. Although she eschewed most modern technology in favor of the more traditional ways of life, (“Give me a whale blubber lamp and a goose quill pen!”, she used to say) in her later years she embraced digital photography as a way of integrating all her interests in birds, gardening, and all aspects of nature and its beauty. Add the camera to the list of “never leave home withouts”.
She was always self-effacing and thoughtful, keeping in touch with old friends, never without a kind word or thought for everyone, generous with her charities, had a delightful sense of humor, and was a sentimental softie.
Mary is survived by her husband Bob of 62 years, her son Bill Spears and wife Anne (Lightfoot) of Bellevue, and daughter Linda Matson and husband Charles Matson of Enumclaw. We shall all miss her more than words can say. Her passing has left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled. Mom, we know we’ll met again. We love you.
Mary’s ashes will be scattered on Lake Washington in a private ceremony.
Memorials can be made to CARE, at www.care.org, or The Nature Conservancy, at www.nature.org.