Mary Frances Speer

Mary Frances Speer, born in Los Angeles, California on January 10, 1945, passed away on December 10, 2022, surrounded by three generations of loving family members. Mary was born to Elinor and Charles Knecht and raised on the west side of Tulsa, Oklahoma. While she and her mother struggled with the stigma of single-parent family prevalent in the 1950s, these challenges served as a glue that would bond them together for a lifetime and carve out the strength of character she was known for later in life. Mary was a diligent student who excelled in academics and enjoyed participating in school clubs like D.E.C.A., Student Council, and Red Feathers, leading the Tulsa Golden Arrows Baton Corp as its captain, and serving at Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Tulsa. After graduating from Tulsa Central High school in 1963, she attended the Tulsa University nursing program and graduated in the winter of 1971. Shortly after graduation, she served on the surgical team performing the first open heart surgery in Tulsa’s history. She eventually worked in the burn center at Hillcrest hospital, as a full-time nurse at Hissom Memorial Center where she served those with special needs, and an E.R. nurse at McAllister Hospital, and as a critical care nurse in the ICU unit at City of Faith. Mary found her life’s purpose after her own mother suffered a debilitating stroke and needed 24-hour care. Mary simply would not leave her mother’s side and took on the role of the Director of Nursing at the long-term care facility where her mother, Elinor, was placed. She eventually became such an accomplished Director of Nursing, she was hired as a consultant known for her ability to take nursing homes from “worst to first” in terms of quality of care. She was a skilled leader, educator, and patient advocate who always centered her work around building relationships and prioritizing the lives and dignity of those she served. Throughout her entire life, Mary was a dedicated person of faith. There were a number of ways that Mary gave back to her community. She was generous with her time and resources as a choir member, vacation bible school director, children’s choir director, acolyte, lay Eucharistic Minister, and member of the Daughters of the King. She supported local charities in her community such as Chimes, Wounded Warrior Project, Falcon’s Children’s Home, The Bicycle Man Program, and The USO of North Carolina among others. After her retirement in 2010, she was also involved with St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Erwin where she served as Senior Warden. Mary was referred to in many ways. Her husband, Frank, called her the love of his life, the children, Beth, Charles, Julie and Jenny, called her Mom and Mother, the grands, Heather, Ashton, Jon, Lauren, Cameron, Bonnie, and Owen and the great grands, Eli, Josie, Dante, Corvus, Alexander, and Lucas, all affectionately called her Mimi, or the one and only Mimster! But we were all lucky enough to call her friend. In remembrance of Mary Speer, we ask flowers to be sent to Jenny Taylor @ 11305 Ridgegate Drive, Raleigh NC 27617, or in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Chimes, Wounded Warrior Project, or Church of the Nativity, Raleigh, NC.

Mary Frances Speer

January 10, 1945 - December 10, 2022