Mary Spittle

Mary Elizabeth Steiger Spittle passed away on August 21, 2012 at La Vida Llena, where she resided in Albuquerque, NM. She was 91. Mary was born to Theodore and Bertha Steiger in Redfield, SD on June 29, 1921. With her family, she lived in Sterling, CO; Lincoln, NE; Zurich, Switzerland; Alpine, TX; and Wellesley, MA. After graduating from Framingham State Teachers College in Wellesley, Mary met her husband, Frederick J. Spittle on Cape Cod. They were married in 1943. Following WWII, Mary & Fred moved to Philadelphia where their daughter, Nancy Elizabeth, was born. After five years in Los Angeles, Mary and her family settled in Detroit where son James Pratt was born. During the years in Detroit and, later, Farmington Hills, MI, Mary was a homemaker and an active volunteer in the Cub Scouts and a reading tutor for area elementary students. Fred and Mary moved to Green Valley, AZ in 1986 where they lived until Fred’s death in February 2007. Mary moved to Albuquerque and La Vida Llena in early 2008. Mary was an active and enthusiastic member of the La Vida Llena community where she led a low vision support group, was a corridor representative, took classes in pottery and collage making and participated in water aerobics, chair yoga and other fitness activities. She enjoyed traveling, walking, reading and listening to music. To her, learning was a life-long adventure. Mary was known for playing Christmas records from her collection for residents during the holiday season. She spent much time with other residents offering friendship and support. Both family and friends cherished Mary’s positive and fun outlook toward life. Mary is preceded in death by brother, Walter Steiger; survived by brother, Raymond Steiger, daughter, Nancy Guist and her husband, Carl of Placitas, NM; son Jim Spittle and his wife Hilary of Cleveland Heights, OH; grandchildren Jonathan, Derek and wife Emily, and Kristina Guist and Thea Spittle; and great grandchildren Penelope and Esme Guist. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, 2:00pm, September 1, 2012 in Carter Hall at La Vida Llena, 10501 Lagrima de Oro Rd, NE, Albuquerque, NM. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made in the memory of Mary Spittle to The Foundation Fighting Blindness, PO Box 17279, Baltimore, MD 21298-9581, by calling FFB at 800-683-5555 or online at www.blindness.org.

Mary Spittle

June 29, 1921 - August 21, 2012