Marjory Ann Spradling

Marjory Merrill Spradling passed away on February 12, 2015. She was born in Marion, Iowa on February 4, 1923 to Reuben Conger Merrill and Jean Cook Merrill. Marjory's parents died in 1934, when she was 11, and she and her two siblings were raised by her mother's sister and husband, and her grandmother in Des Plaines, Illinois. Marjory graduated from MacMurray College, and received a Master's Degree from the University of Illinois, in Champaign-Urbana. She married Arch B. Spradling in 1944 and moved to Kalamazoo in 1946. Marjory taught at Western Michigan University from 1959 until 1983, where she taught microbiology to students in the Bronson Nursing School program, and was curator of Bacteria and Fungal Diseases. Marjory's life was one of inquiry, service, and dedication. She was deeply invested in the People's Church, where she spent several terms as board president, Religious Education Director, and Sunday school teacher. She was on the Archives Committee and she was instrumental in writing and directing a five part history of the Unitarian Church for its Sesquicentennial celebration. Marjory was chairman of the Experiment in International Living in the Kalamazoo area in 1967, hosting a group of 12 business men from India. She was a 60-year member of AAUW and a book discussion group, played duplicate bridge, promoted social justice, women's equal rights in the workplace, and on a personal level, was a tireless hostess, devoted to the happiness and comfort of all who came into her home. Nothing was too much trouble if it added to the comfort of others. She opened her home to guests from dozens of other nations, whether they stayed for a meal, a month, or two years. She maintained friendships with people from around the world. Throughout her life, Marjory was an avid birder, camper and hiker, and at the age of 62, joined the rest of her family members on a January cross country ski trip, exiting the Snow Train, then skiing 10 miles through the wilds of Northern Ontario to spend a week in a secluded group of cabins heated only by firewood and having no electricity or running water. Marjory is survived by three children, Peter Spradling of Victoria, TX, Allan Spradling of Baltimore, MD, and Mary Spradling of Kalamazoo. She has four grandchildren, Laura and Jeffrey MacLellan, and Emily and Katie Spradling, and one great-grandson, Colt. She is also survived by her sister, Betty Allen of Walnut Creek, CA, ten nephews and one niece. A memorial service will be held to honor and celebrate the life of Marjory Spradling on March 8th, 2015 at 3:00pm, at the People's Church, 1758 North 10th Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Thoughts and remembrances can be left at: http://avinkcremation.com/book-of-memories/2063107/Spradling-Marjory/service-details.php. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to: MacMurray College. https://www.applyweb.com/public/contribute?macmcont or National Audubon Society. https://secure.audubon.org/site/Donation2?6960.donation=form1&df_id=6960