Laurene Ryan Spires

Laurene Ryan Spires, age 98, 2323 Edinboro Road and formerly of Flower Road, Erie, passed away Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at Forestview Skilled Nursing Center.

She was born in Erie, May 20, 1917, a daughter of Martin J. and Muriel Hanna Ryan.

She graduated from Academy High School and Jacqua Beauty School. She was a cosmetologist with several local beauty salons, then worked in Kane for several years before she became the owner of her own shop in Waterford for four years, from 1938 - 1942.

She was an organizer and leader as seen by her many community involvements.

She was a member of the Erie Club and a former member of the Kearsarge Garden Club. She was the Northwest Field Representative in Erie for Women in the Military. She chaired the Academy High School Class of 1935 reunions for over 30 years. She was president of the Kearsarge PTA and of McDowell PTA.

She organized campaigns for the Red Cross, Polio and Heart Associations in the Kearsarge area, worked with Little League and received a certificate for outstanding service in the Kearsarge area.

She was a member of Wayne Street Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School. Later she became a member and served on Church Council of Trinity Lutheran Church of McKean. She served on the board to organize the McKean Retirement Center. In 1970, she organized the Golden Age Club in the McKean area. She volunteered for the City Mission.

One of the first residents of Springhill, she served on the Residents’ Council.

As involved in the community as she was, Laurene’s main focus was on her family. She showed her love by creating delicious meals from scratch, keeping an orderly and neat home, beautifying the outside of their home by raising flower and vegetable gardens and supporting her sons in their many endeavors. Laurene had a lifelong love of flowers surrounding herself with fresh flowers whenever possible!

She loved to travel and especially loved hosting her sons and their wives on several cruises. Laurene lived life with zest, welcoming everyday with excitement and always accessorized perfectly.

She and her late husband owned the Spires Farm, which is now the Millcreek Mall.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William W. Spires, a son, William R. Spires, a sister, Thelma Ryan and a daughter in law, Joyce Faulkner Spires.

Survivors include three sons: David (Marjorie) of Alexandria, VA; Richard (Marlene Chrisman) of McKean, PA; Michael (Jean) of Edinboro, PA. Seven grandchildren: Brian (Terri Harpold), Jill Kidd (Michael), Jeffery (Kate), Heather Sherman (Dan), Michael (Mary), Rebecca Stafford (Don), and Patrick Spires. She is further survived by a nephew Merton Osborn (Marlene) and a niece Beverly Hyatt and 13 great grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th St., Erie on Friday from 4 until the time of service there at 7 p.m. and on Saturday family and friends will gather at the funeral home at 11am to process to the Erie Cemetery for interment.

Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.