In loving memory of
Kathleen Marie Spear (Hand)
  • August 15, 1951
  • -
  • October 26, 2022

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Obituary

Kathleen Marie Spear (Hand)

Kathy was born in Gary, Indiana on August 15, 1951 to John and Marie (Sabocik) Hand, the 4th of 9 children. She passed away on October 26, 2022, after a year long battle with endometrial cancer.

Kathy was a strong and vibrant presence in the lives of everyone she touched. She could answer anyone’s questions about how to do anything, often after extensive research, and she would gladly volunteer her opinions on the subject at hand. She was the cool aunt that all the nieces and nephews wanted to emulate. Kathy was an inspiration to all who knew her as she struggled to survive and build a life for herself despite the tragic teenage deaths of her children to Sanfilippo Syndrome. Her second marriage brought her a step-child and eventually 2 grandchildren, and more of a life of comfort, but she was just as cool.

Kathy had a widely varying career, including salad girl, medical transcription, computer technical support, computer technical writing, Ebay training, and travel agent. Later in life, she developed a taste for cruising. She and her husband, Dan, took numerous cruises in her last 15 years, including to Alaska, Iceland, Russia, Greece, and Israel. She also loved to plan trips for her friends and family, and to include them in her own cruises. Her hobbies included photography, crafts, and cat ownership.

She is predeceased in her immediate family by her parents and her sons, Zachary and Cody Chavez, and her brother, Dave. She is survived by her other brothers and sisters: Doug Hand (Mary), Fr. Denny Hand, Nancy SeDoris (Don), Lorrie Lavarnway (Bob), Janice Iafrate, Dan Hand, and Patty Curley (Bob). She is also survived by her husband, Dan Spear, her step-daughter, Chloe Ray (Ed), and her grandchildren, Milo and Finn Ray.

If desired, please make any donations in her name to the National MPS Society, www.mpssociety.org, the group that deals with the disease that took her children.  www.mpssociety.org

curesanfilippofoundation.org

 

 

 

 

 


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  1. Grace Diaz Origel says:
    03 Nov 2022
    I met Kathy at Holy Rosary School when my family moved to Brunswick in Gary Indiana. She was my best friend in seventh and eighth grade. We didn't go to the same high school but we hung out when we could. Kathy was a loyal and funny friend. I know she'll truly be missed by her loving family. My condolences to all who loved her. God bless

  2. Grace Diaz Origel lit a candle:
    03 Nov 2022
    Lit since November 3, 2022 at 11:10:21 PM

  3. Vernette Cooper says:
    02 Nov 2022
    Kathy has been my friend since about 1987. We were neighbors in Long Beach. I would see her coming and going and she had the coolest haircut. I knew I wanted to know her. So smart. So insightful. And so creative. Over the years we stayed in touch thru email or the occasional visit. She always talked about family.
    I knew about her siblings, her nieces and nephews and of course Dan, Chloe and grandkids. She loved you all so much! I will miss her very much.

  4. Dan Spear posted an image:
    29 Oct 2022
    Kathy and her first grandchild, Milo
    Kathy and her first grandchild, Milo

  5. Dan Spear posted an image:
    29 Oct 2022
    Kathy and her sisters
    Kathy and her sisters

  6. Dan Spear posted an image:
    29 Oct 2022
    Kathy and Dan in the Bahamas
    Kathy and Dan in the Bahamas

  7. Dan Spear posted an image:
    29 Oct 2022
    Kathy at the Valley of Fire near Las Vegas, with her ever present camera and big bag of infinite supplies
    Kathy at the Valley of Fire near Las Vegas, with her ever present camera and big bag of infinite supplies

  8. Colleen Curley says:
    29 Oct 2022
    Aunt Kathy’s adventurous spirit is something I will always admire. She had no fear in pursuing what she wanted in life. Beyond that, she was so loving and generous to her many nieces and nephews. She was one of the first to send me a gift and a sweet note when I bought my first house. She encouraged me to continue my love for photography, as she had the same passion. I am thankful we were able to do what we loved together and take nature photos at Lake Apopka on my last visit. She was the best researcher and an encyclopedia of knowledge in all things travel. She gave great advice on the sights to see in our most recent summer family trip. I will forever think of “Aunt K”, as she affectionally called herself, during my travel adventures with camera in hand. I will strive to embody her spirit of determination to live life to the fullest until we meet again. I love you Aunt K and always will!

  9. Zachary Swasta lit a candle:
    29 Oct 2022
    Lit since October 29, 2022 at 10:32:59 AM

  10. Linda Smith says:
    28 Oct 2022
    Sometimes in life we are blessed to meet people who have the gift of encouraging and strengthening everyone around them. Kathy was, and will continue to be, such a person in my life. Her spirit of adventure, how she saw life in a truly unique and creative way, her fierce devotion and caring for her family and friends, her dedication to making the world a better place and her tender love of kitty cats. These will be among my treasured memories of Kathy. My heartfelt condolences go out to Kathy's husband Dan, and all their family and friends. Dan was her tower of strength and her angel in her battle against her cancer. May God bless him. Sending wishes and prayers for comfort and peace to him and to all Kathy's loved ones.

  11. Carolyn Varner says:
    28 Oct 2022
    I always wanted to go on a cruise with my cousin Kathy. It always sounded like it would be a fun time. It was very sad to hear she lost her battle with her health. I’m sure she has entered a lovely place where her pain & suffering are now over. Rest In Peace, dear cousin Kathy.

  12. Catie Swasta says:
    28 Oct 2022
    Love you, Aunt K

  13. Molly posted an image:
    28 Oct 2022
    "I bring you fruit" Aunt Kay. Always.
    "I bring you fruit" Aunt Kay. Always.

  14. chloe ray says:
    28 Oct 2022
    Miss you, Kath.

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