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Welcome to the memorial page for
Mary R. (Reidy) Sparks
June 26, 1920 ~ July 7, 2015 (age 95) 95 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from Women's 18 hole Erskine Golf League
July 14, 2015 8:33 PM
We were so fortunate to have Mary on our league for many years. We all loved playing with her and hearing her great stories. Our condolences go out to all of her family.
Message from Meg Auth
July 14, 2015 11:32 AM
I have so many good memories of Mrs. Sparks making physics a fun subject at Adams High School in 75, and hosting so many evening practices for The Strawberry Patch. Such a lively and inspiring woman.
My Condolences George, Joe and all the family, Meg
My Condolences George, Joe and all the family, Meg
Message from Sheila Reidy Davis
July 14, 2015 8:56 AM
My Dear Ones,
I just heard this morning of the passing of my godmother and distant cousin from my father, Bill Reidy. I am so sorry to have missed Mary's visitation and funeral. She and Dave were treasures to me. They were some of the most loving, thoughtful and lively people I have known in this life. To the end they both truly lived, playing golf, figure skating, roller blading, adventuring to Europe, researching the Reidy family tree... I do miss them so! Know that I am holding you all in prayer in a special way as you grieve the loss of a beautiful life and beautiful person, Mary. My deepest condolences, Sheila Reidy Davis
I just heard this morning of the passing of my godmother and distant cousin from my father, Bill Reidy. I am so sorry to have missed Mary's visitation and funeral. She and Dave were treasures to me. They were some of the most loving, thoughtful and lively people I have known in this life. To the end they both truly lived, playing golf, figure skating, roller blading, adventuring to Europe, researching the Reidy family tree... I do miss them so! Know that I am holding you all in prayer in a special way as you grieve the loss of a beautiful life and beautiful person, Mary. My deepest condolences, Sheila Reidy Davis
Message from Billy and Cathy Reidy
July 14, 2015 8:07 AM
I am deeply saddened by this news and extend my prayers and sorrow to Eliza, John, George, and Joe, and to Sally and Judy. When we moved to Mishawaka in '77 Mary and Dave became our local connection to the extended Reidy clan. My Dad, James D. Reidy, Sr., and Mary were first cousins. When our daughter Sheila was born, Mary and Dave honored us by being Godparents to Sheila and fulfilled that responsibility with elegance and consistency. I remember with fondness Mary's 90th birthday celebration in 2010 and I remember reading about her Clay HS physics class and the famous "Egg Drop" competitions, and her loom! Always a smile, always a cup of tea, and always a kind word; a grand Lady who will be missed and remembered with joy by me and my family.
Message from Dr. Debra McClain UMSH-FMC
July 13, 2015 7:34 AM
We send heart felt prayers for the family and friends of this wonderful woman who embraced life with a brilliant smile.
Message from Frank P. Reidy ( Nephew ) and Norma Lea Sundberg
July 12, 2015 10:14 AM
We wish to send our deepest sorrow and condolences to my cousins in the Sparks Family . We all have great memories of all of us being together even though it was many years ago . I will always remember her in my mind as the fun and gracious lady that she was . Her smile will be engraved in our hearts forever. We wish you all well .
Message from Your cousin, Gail (Reidy) Bell
July 11, 2015 10:11 PM
Well, I always knew her as my Aunt Mimi....didn't we all call her that? I have nothing but fond memories of her and the Sparks' family. Our visits to the house in Wakefield as kids, cookouts and such. Singing, always singing.
I remember taking first year Physics at Emmanuel College in Boston. My teacher had been a classmate of my Aunt Mimi...made me want to be a better student! and here was my dad, bringing me pamphlets on women in engineering....I didn't know Aunt Mimi was designing airplanes during WW 2!
Sad news, but I'm sure she's now enjoying the company of her sibs and parents who left us earlier.
We will all miss her great spirit.
Love,
Gail
I remember taking first year Physics at Emmanuel College in Boston. My teacher had been a classmate of my Aunt Mimi...made me want to be a better student! and here was my dad, bringing me pamphlets on women in engineering....I didn't know Aunt Mimi was designing airplanes during WW 2!
Sad news, but I'm sure she's now enjoying the company of her sibs and parents who left us earlier.
We will all miss her great spirit.
Love,
Gail
A candle was lit by Sarah Bergstrom Getzelman, Mary's neice
on July 11, 2015 10:32 AM
Message from Carol Kilbourne
July 10, 2015 5:48 PM
. Both of my children were fortunate enough to have "Mrs. Sparks" as their physics teacher at Clay High School; as a result, my husband and I were regaled with stories of her assignments and her classroom "antics." However, my favorite memory of her (other than playing golf with her!) was the night of a 60's Pops Concert at Clay,put on by the high school band and choirs. Earlier that week, some Clay parents had requested to borrow our golf cart, and had even sent a truck to pick it up. Well, on the night off the concert, the band began playing " Little Old Lady from Pasadena," and into the gym drove tiny Mary in the golf cart, smiling and waving to the audience. She was a great teacher and a remarkable woman. What a legacy she leaves!
A candle was lit by Judy Brigham, Mary;s sister
on July 10, 2015 3:15 PM
Message from Jim Reidy, Mary's nephew (son of Parker) & cousin to the family
July 10, 2015 2:35 PM
My heart goes out to you all.
Mary, & David for that matter, were both inspiring people. I reading the obituary & other guestbook entries, I learned things about her that told me why she was so inspirational to all around her.
I recall some fun times with her in the Bergstrom side yard with antics & singing & playing with you (my cousins) as a kid....they were great times!!
I also remember a visit from her & Uncle Dave while they were staying in the Salt Lake City area researching the Sparks & Reidy family genealogies. We visited with them while they were in the area & had a great time catching up with family "goings on".
They both were an inspiration to me as a positive influence in my life.
I have nothing but loving, fond & sweet memories of Aunt Mary.
Again my heart & love go out to you all,
Jim
Mary, & David for that matter, were both inspiring people. I reading the obituary & other guestbook entries, I learned things about her that told me why she was so inspirational to all around her.
I recall some fun times with her in the Bergstrom side yard with antics & singing & playing with you (my cousins) as a kid....they were great times!!
I also remember a visit from her & Uncle Dave while they were staying in the Salt Lake City area researching the Sparks & Reidy family genealogies. We visited with them while they were in the area & had a great time catching up with family "goings on".
They both were an inspiration to me as a positive influence in my life.
I have nothing but loving, fond & sweet memories of Aunt Mary.
Again my heart & love go out to you all,
Jim
A candle was lit by Nichole Reidy Labott
on July 9, 2015 1:47 PM
Message from Julie Bergstrom
July 9, 2015 1:20 PM
So Sorry to Eliza and John. I am Sally Bergstrom's daughter Julie. I have such wonderful memories of your mom. I always admired her for so many things. Not only was she trained in engineering at a time for a woman must have been difficult, but she was a warm and caring person. When I was very young she flew my sister Debbie and I from Boston to D.C. She brought us on a tour to a different place every day, which I still have memories years later. At a time with young kids of her own this was so thoughtful!. Even into her elderly years she was jet setting all over. She flew to my sister Sarah's wedding just a few days after 9/11 when most family members were too afraid to fly. I loved the fact in her later years she worked at a hospice which I think is the most difficult job a person can do. She was always dressed to the nines and looked so professional! I am so proud to have had her as an aunt.
Message from Laura Nulty
July 9, 2015 1:09 PM
I had Mrs. Sparks at Clay High School in the early 1990s and I still tell stories about her class to this day. Her energy was magnificent and she made learning fun. The hoverboard, the trip to Great America and best of all was when she skated into class as part of her lecture. My condolences to her family.
Message from Mike Gilvary - CHS 1981
July 12, 2015 12:10 AM
Mrs. Sparks was my teacher for Geometry, Physics and Computer Programming. Her energy, enthusiasm and creativity (including tinker toys and bubbles in Geometry and cooking hot dogs with our solar powered ovens in Physics) definitely made the lessons memorable.She was an excellent teacher!
My condolences to her family.
My condolences to her family.
Message from Carole McCollester, Chaplain, Sanctuary at St. Paul's
July 9, 2015 11:27 AM
I was saddened to hear of Mary's passing. Mary was strong and faithful - and we are remembering her and the many ways she served the St. Paul's community and are grateful for the time she was here with us. Thank you for sharing Mary with us. Our prayers are with you,
Carole
Carole
Message from Heidi Lamm
July 9, 2015 9:45 AM
I was deeply saddened to hear about the loss of your Mother. What a great lady. I knew Mary through The Ladies of Notre Dame and Saint Mary's College. She encouraged me in so many ways. Mary was very thoughtful and helped me when my husband, Larry, passed away. As your Mother told me, memories are what we have to carry in our heart. My prayers are with you. Sincerely, Heidi
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