Margaret Mary Spearing

Margaret Mary Spearing Margaret Mary Spearing of Tallahassee, 77, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008. Private services are planned. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308. Fairchild Funeral Home (850-386-8686) is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Spearing was born in Quincy, Mass., to Margaret and Daniel Flynn and was raised in Milton, Mass. She graduated Katy Gibbs Business School and, in her 20s, had the courage to travel half way around the world to serve as a secretary for the U.S. Army in Japan. It was there that she met and married James M. Spearing Sr. and she served as a military wife for 27 years. Margaret had seven children, Eileen, James Jr., Margaret, Betsy, Neil, Mary and Leo in whom she instilled an intensity and passion for knowledge and justice. After launching her children in life, Margaret returned to Edison Community College, earning an Associate Degree and moved to Tallahassee in 1983. Margaret had a never-ending thirst for knowledge and was an avid reader. She loved camping and spending time among nature. She was a tough Irish lass who never complained and wouldn't quit. Margaret also had seven loving grandchildren, Kelley Spearing, James Spearing III, Daniel Spearing, Jeremy Harden, Bradley Harden, Kristin Schwartz and Amy Schwartz. She will live in our memory as a caring, loving soul who nurtured each of us along the path of life. Vaya con dios, Mom. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband James M. Spearing; her daughter, Eileen Harden; her brothers, Daniel, Bob and John Flynn. Survivors include her children, James and Conny Spearing, Betsy Spearing, Neil Spearing, Mary Spearing, all of Tallahassee, Margaret and Fred Schwartz of Ft. Myers, and Leo Spearing of Atlanta; and also her brother, George Flynn of Sarasota.