Marilyn M. Spark

MATTAPOISETT — Marilyn M. (McElwee) Spark, 88, of Mattapoisett died October 28, 2007 peacefully at home. She was the widow of the late William J. Spark, Jr. who died in 1972.

She was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Raymond J. McElwee. Mrs. Spark attended Purdue and Indiana Universities and in 1944 she graduated from the Katherine Gibbs School in Boston and immediately became the personal secretary to Joseph and Rose Kennedy of Hyannisport, MA and Palm Beach, FL.

In 1947, she resigned her position to marry William J. Spark, Jr. of Bradford, PA.

She was a long-time member of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, the women's guild at her church, the Mattapoisett Historical Society and the Mattapoisett Land Trust.

Survivors include three sons, William James Spark, III, and his wife Jan, and Anthony Joseph Spark, and his wife Janice, all of Mattapoisett and Steven John Spark of Seattle, WA; two grandsons, Seth and Kyle; two great-grandchildren, Kayla and Jacob.

Her Graveside Service will be held on Friday at 11 AM in Cushing Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Mattapoisett Congregational Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 284, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. For on-line guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.