Mary Spearing
July 16, 1914 – Winnipeg, MB
to September 11, 2013 – Victoria, BC
Our much loved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Mary Spearing, passed away peacefully in her 100th year on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. Mary’s childhood was spent on the prairies as her family moved from Manitoba to Saskatchewan and on to the family farm in Nestow, Alberta for her school years. Her memories from Nestow included hard winters, clearing land, making a log house a home, growing vegetables and grains, raising poultry and livestock, happy times with dear friends and picking delicious berries in the summers. She married Lawrence Spearing on August 7, 1935, and began a 78 year adventure in British Columbia, first in the West Kootenays, then in Nanaimo and then on the waterfront in Lantzville where Mary the prairie girl enjoyed swimming when the tide came in over the warm sand and rocks. Their last house and garden were back in Nanaimo.
Mary was devoted to her family, and she was an active contributor to her community through the local Consumers Association, the Parent Teachers Association, the church, the Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary, her much treasured sewing group, and her neighbours. She was always interested in other cultures and places, and travelled widely in North America, Europe, Russia, the Orient, and the South Pacific. Her caring nature for people and kindness to animals was renowned, and her love of flowers knew no bounds. Once her African violets took over every north facing window sill in the house, Lawrence built her a greenhouse which was soon filled with a kaleidoscope of more than 100 orchids leading to many friends in the Orchid Club and her prize winning new orchid that she named Mary’s Gold.
After 64 years of marriage, Lawrence passed away in 2000 and Mary moved to Lakeside Gardens Seniors Residence in Nanaimo. She enjoyed the activities, tended her flower pots in their lovely gardens, and kept in touch with friends and family. Her final years were spent in Victoria, first at Glengarry Hospital and then at Mount St. Mary Hospital, where she benefited from daily family visits.
We send special thanks to the wonderful staff at Mount St. Mary who welcomed and nurtured Mom with compassion, humour and a love of life, then embraced her with every kindness in her final days.
Mary was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence; her son, David; and her grandson, Simon. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Richard Pratt); daughter-in-law, Dianne; sons, Bob (Janice), Les, Ted (Deb); 8 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.
A private family service will be held as Mary rejoins Lawrence, side by side, in a beautiful place overlooking their beloved ocean.
Rest easy, your family loves you and we are lucky to have you watching over us.