Margaret Spearey

MARGARET ELIZABETH (ADDISON) SPEAREY

1931 - 2019

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of MARGARET ELIZABETH (ADDISON) SPEAREY, who passed away on Wednesday, 20 February, 2019 at Longfield’s Manor in Ottawa in her 88th year. Margaret was born in Toronto on 30 July, 1931, and was predeceased by her father, George Grahame Addison (1902-1972), her mother Eileen Margaret (Wilson) Addison (1907-1975), her brother Grahame Wilson Addison (1936-2009) and her loving husband Patrick Spearey (1931-2008). She is survived by two children, Susan Spearey and John Spearey, and two grandchildren, Brayden Spearey and Cole Spearey. Her family, however, extended far beyond this genealogical line, and encompassed many rich, decades-long, and often multigenerational friendships: with Bob Wilkinson and Pat (Grinyer) Wilkinson and their daughters Mary Jane (Wilkinson) Dickenson, Susan Wilkinson and Janet Wilkinson; Clair Bailey and Audrey (Merkley) Bailey their children Suzanne Bailey, Brian Bailey and Robert Bailey; Hal Stroebel and BeBe (Dodworth) Strobel and their children Ken Stroebel, Wendy (Strobel) Herchenroether and Robin (Stroebel) Dolan; Doug Andison and Sue (Stanbury) Andison; Bob Loudon and Gwen (Mueller) Loudon; Tom Wells and Audrey (Richardson) Wells; Donald Howson and Mary (Archbold) Howson, Geoff Howson and Jan Asendorf, and Alix Howson; and Jeremy Campbell-Grant and Joan (Clibbon) Campbell-Grant. Margaret was trained as a primary school teacher. She spent a year abroad in the UK in 1957, doing clerical work in the City of London, where she met her husband, Patrick Spearey. They married in October 1959 and settled in Ottawa. They had two 4-year postings abroad (Washington DC 1976-1980 and Cheltenham, UK 1988-1992). Margaret was very involved with the Christ Church Bells Corners community, through the Altar Guild, catering of church events and organizing the crafts table at the annual Christmas Bazaar. Her great love was Stoney Lake, where her family has had an island cottage since 1900. Even when Margaret’s Alzheimer’s had progressed to the stage where she rarely recognized family members, she continued to speak lovingly and with delight of the cottage. A Celebration of Life service to follow in the spring. Thank you to staff members at Longfield’s Manor for their good humour, kindness and exceptional care.