Nancy B. Speer

Nancy B. Speer, 91, passed away peacefully at her home in Friendship Village on Thursday, September 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Remarkably, Nancy was born on September 18, 1934, and by coincidence, gave birth to her youngest son, David, on the same day 58 years ago. The symmetry of these milestones reflects a life gracefully lived, full of meaning and connection. Born in Montclair, N.J., to Ruth and Walter Beasten, Nancy was one of two children. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 65 years, Edison C. Speer; and her son-in-law, Brendan. Nancy is survived by her sister, Carolyn Young; her four adult children and their spouses and partners: John Speer (Colleen), Carolyn Miles (Bill), Walter Speer (Rita) and David Speer (Susan); and her eight grandchildren: Keegan (Tori), Patrick (Jenna), Robert, Annie, Daniel, Rebecca, Molly and Tim; as well as an expected great-grandson. Although Nancy had just one sibling, she grew up in a large and close extended family. She graduated from Lower Merion Senior High School and continued her studies at Bucknell University, where she met her future husband and father of her children, Ed. They remained devoted partners until his death in 2022. After graduation, she worked at the advertising agency J. Walter Thompson in New York. Nancy and Ed's marriage took them from Pennsylvania to Oklahoma to Connecticut and finally back to Ed's hometown of Pittsburgh, which she lovingly adopted as her own. She became a lifelong devotee of the city and its rich cultural heritage. Nancy was a dedicated member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, serving as a Deacon and as treasurer of the Town Hall South Committee. She loved reading, traveling, animals (especially her many dogs and cats), and the shore-but most of all, she cherished time spent with family and friends. She was always happy to return to the home she and Ed built together in Eighty-Four. Following Ed's passing, she moved to Friendship Village. Nancy was a lifelong member of the League of Women Voters, a proud participant in the PEO International sisterhood, which promotes education for women, and a supporter of Wesley Spectrum. Later in life, she worked as a real estate agent in the greater Pittsburgh area. Nancy will be interred alongside her husband. Donations may be made to Westminster Church or to any of the charitable organizations Nancy supported, including Meals on Wheels and voters' rights groups. A celebration of her life will be held in December. She was a friend to all who knew her.