1916
Olga
2011
Olga Marie Spero
November 13, 1916 — February 18, 2011
The dates in the official records for Olga Marie Woronoff Spero will forever read 11/13/16 - 2/18/11. To paraphrase a popular verse by Linda Ellis, "the first date represents her birth and the second her death, but what matters most of all is the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth and those who knew her and loved her know what that little line is worth".
Olga's life was not unlike many from her generation of remarkable and nurturing women who embraced the highs and lows of a full and rewarding life. She was the daughter of Alexander and Mary Woronoff and sister of the late Alexander Michael Woronoff, daughter-in-law of Samuel Spero, sister-in-law of Ruth Berube of New York and the late Josephine Blank of Wakefield. She was raised in Wakefield by Alice and Lon Oliver, graduated from WHS in 1933, Pierce Secretarial School in Boston in 1934 and worked at Ropes & Gray in Boston until she married Lester Spero (also a native of Wakefield) in 1938. He was the owner of Spero Brothers Furniture on Main Street, Wakefield until it's closure in 1968. They lived briefly in Reading and then settled in Stoneham where they made their home and raised their family. They relocated to Wilton, NH in later life where Lester predeceased her (11/13/11-2/22/87) after 48 happy years together. She then returned to Stoneham.
Throughout her 94 years she enjoyed family, friends, community, artwork, sewing, gardening, knitting, crocheting, embroidering, driving her convertible, boating and other outdoor activities. Worth noting is that there was always a cat (or two) by her side. She was always very proud of her four children and their spouses: Jack Spero (Mary) of Harvard; Anne Myer (Jeff) of California; Arthur Spero of Virginia, Paulene "Bee" Russo (Larry) of Stoneham. Each of her 8 grandchildren and their spouses also brought another level of joy to her life: Jackie MacNew (Ken) of California, Laurie Cook (Darin) of California, Larry Russo (Lisa) of Stoneham, Alex Russo (Kristin) of Burlington, Tanya Otte (Martin) of North Carolina, Jay Spero of Maryland, Bruce Spero of Jamaica Plain and Amy Petersen (Dave) of Vermont. She was further blessed with 18 great-grandchildren whose photos and visits provided her visible joy despite her long decline with Alzheimer's disease - Nathan, Ruby and Gavin Cook; Kyle and Hanna MacNew; John and Cameron Russo; Alex, Jolene and Caroline Russo; Alicia, Carissa and Matthew Spero; Tyler, Trevor, Natalie (deceased) and Ryan Otte; and Joshua Petersen. She is also survived by many wonderful and devoted caregivers from Hearthstone Alzheimer's Facility in Woburn who became part of her "family" for many years and who were always on the receiving end of one of her genuine warm smiles.
Funeral arrangements were private. Memorial Donations may be made to VNA of Middlesex-East, Hospice Program, 607 North Ave., Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01880.
Olga's life was not unlike many from her generation of remarkable and nurturing women who embraced the highs and lows of a full and rewarding life. She was the daughter of Alexander and Mary Woronoff and sister of the late Alexander Michael Woronoff, daughter-in-law of Samuel Spero, sister-in-law of Ruth Berube of New York and the late Josephine Blank of Wakefield. She was raised in Wakefield by Alice and Lon Oliver, graduated from WHS in 1933, Pierce Secretarial School in Boston in 1934 and worked at Ropes & Gray in Boston until she married Lester Spero (also a native of Wakefield) in 1938. He was the owner of Spero Brothers Furniture on Main Street, Wakefield until it's closure in 1968. They lived briefly in Reading and then settled in Stoneham where they made their home and raised their family. They relocated to Wilton, NH in later life where Lester predeceased her (11/13/11-2/22/87) after 48 happy years together. She then returned to Stoneham.
Throughout her 94 years she enjoyed family, friends, community, artwork, sewing, gardening, knitting, crocheting, embroidering, driving her convertible, boating and other outdoor activities. Worth noting is that there was always a cat (or two) by her side. She was always very proud of her four children and their spouses: Jack Spero (Mary) of Harvard; Anne Myer (Jeff) of California; Arthur Spero of Virginia, Paulene "Bee" Russo (Larry) of Stoneham. Each of her 8 grandchildren and their spouses also brought another level of joy to her life: Jackie MacNew (Ken) of California, Laurie Cook (Darin) of California, Larry Russo (Lisa) of Stoneham, Alex Russo (Kristin) of Burlington, Tanya Otte (Martin) of North Carolina, Jay Spero of Maryland, Bruce Spero of Jamaica Plain and Amy Petersen (Dave) of Vermont. She was further blessed with 18 great-grandchildren whose photos and visits provided her visible joy despite her long decline with Alzheimer's disease - Nathan, Ruby and Gavin Cook; Kyle and Hanna MacNew; John and Cameron Russo; Alex, Jolene and Caroline Russo; Alicia, Carissa and Matthew Spero; Tyler, Trevor, Natalie (deceased) and Ryan Otte; and Joshua Petersen. She is also survived by many wonderful and devoted caregivers from Hearthstone Alzheimer's Facility in Woburn who became part of her "family" for many years and who were always on the receiving end of one of her genuine warm smiles.
Funeral arrangements were private. Memorial Donations may be made to VNA of Middlesex-East, Hospice Program, 607 North Ave., Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01880.
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