Gretchen E. "Bither" Spears
Gretchen E. "Bither" Spears
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Gretchen Spears Obituary
She was surrounded by her caring family, with her husband Edward holding her hand. Born March 26, 1945 in Brooks, Maine, daughter of the late Roger and Marguerite (Noyes) Bither.
She was the devoted wife of Edward C. Spears, with whom she was married for 47 years together. They enjoyed some gardening, and especially tending to their "little farm like" life of pet chickens, ducks, goats, and dogs. Occasionally they would have outings to the New Eastern Farmers Market in York, PA and Roots Country Market and Auction in Manheim, PA. Gretchen spent many years working in the retail market. She was a member of the Jehovah Witness congregation of Hanover, PA and later the congregation of Carlisle, PA.
She leaves six children; Darlene (Darmetko) Newman, Stephanie (Darmetko) Kimmey, Gretchen Darmetko & wife Angel, Barbara (Spears) Flanagan, Charles Spears & wife Colleen, and Susan (Spears) Brucato. She leaves eight grandchildren; Amber (Kimmey) Gearhart, Steven Kimmey II, Angela (Spears) Walters & husband George, Jeremy Flanagan, Alexandra Flanagan, NickiRose Spears, Katelyn Brucato, Charles Hellmund, and nine great grandchildren. Gretchen leaves two brothers Charles Bither of Maine and Randall Bither of Massachusetts. She was the loving aunt of many nieces and nephews. Gretchen was sadly predeceased by her first grandson, Michael Rose, her sister Christine (Bither) Glavin and brothers Roger (Butch) Bither, Scott Bither, and Bruce Bither.
A celebration of Gretchen's life will be planned by family for the Summer of 2026.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to American Heart Association. Please take a moment to leave a short comment and/or post a photo of our beloved Gretchen.
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