Maureen Virginia Spooner

Maureen's tribute video may be viewed here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/LS9YNSGR4GYXZRTF

Vigil Service will be livestreamed here: https://vimeo.com/event/3282031

Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed here: https://vimeo.com/event/3282036

Maureen Spooner passed away peacefully on April 4, 2023, surrounded by family. She was a beautiful soul who lived her faith, loved her family, and used her gifts for others. Maureen's Irish Eyes were smiling for 94 years.

Maureen had the quintessential gift of hospitality. She was the ultimate host and party planner and loved nothing more than to celebrate everyone and any occasion. Maureen made every birthday and holiday special with her delicious food and creative touches. The Spooner house had a permanent welcome mat and an attitude of "the more the merrier". There was always an open bed or warm meal for family and guests at 1101.

Being members of St. Joseph's Parish in Williston for nearly 50 years, church involvement was central to her life. Her faith was the catalyst to her actions and what she leaned on throughout her life, praying on her knees every night well into her 80s. Maureen so naturally shared Christ's love with others through simple acts of kindness like making a neighbor feel welcome, dropping off a bouquet of peonies, writing a letter or note or surprising someone with flowers, Mayday baskets, or treats on their doorstep. Maureen grew her faith by participating and leading Cursillo, serving 60+ years in Catholic daughters, being a part of the church welcoming committee, Altar Band, and her beloved Tuesday prayer group. She made lifelong friends through her church activities, and it all brought her much joy.

Maureen was especially proud of her Irish roots, as her father emigrated from Bangor, Ireland. She was thrilled to be able to visit Ireland on 2 occasions and meet many cousins and relatives. Maureen loved St. Patrick's Day, but every day was a good day to be Irish. You could often find her in her green "Irish Room" or wearing her "Irish Mother Superior" sweatshirt.

Maureen was an accomplished wordsmith, whether it was learning and using a new daily "word of the day", her frequent puns ("the highest form of humor"), playing word games, or writing in shorthand. Maureen championed the art of letter-writing, sending her children daily letters in college and carbon-copied family newsletters. She was social media before there was social media and her hand-written "posts" kept us all connected and up to date on family happenings and events. Her letters were a ministry, and we were all blessed by her efforts. If we were to make a crossword about Maureen, it would include the words thoughtful, creative, generous, Amtrak lunches, spaghetti, peonies, puns, tea parties, Irish, shamrock, Scrabble, joyful, lunches, faithful, steadfast, Christmas, loyal, baking, piano, care package, birthdays, caring, smart, flowers, caramel rolls, family dinners, letters, pies, God Bless You cards, sincere, night owl, encouraging. Her family and friends will remember her for these things and so much more.

Maureen Virginia Callan was born in Sweetgrass Montana on September 22,1928 to Comgall Aloysius (Pat) and Albertine Virginia (Fitzpatrick) Callan. She was the oldest of 5 children and shared special closeness to her siblings Albertine (Bette), Colleen (Peaches), Sharon, and Pat. When the Callan girls were together there was no shortage of laughter, and it was entertainment to the rest of us to just watch them together. There is a strong sense of family in the Callan DNA that we have all been lucky to know and hopefully continue. Any occasion was reason for celebration, laughter, and time together.

Maureen attended school in Sweetgrass and Shelby Montana, graduating high school in 1946. After high school Maureen worked at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota as a surgical recorder and transcriptionist. After 5 years, Maureen traveled to California and got a taste of college life, attending a semester at USC before making her way back to Shelby.

She married her high school sweetheart Alphonse Howard (Bob) Spooner on May 23, 1953. Their love was a shining example to others, and they were true partners in life. They lived in Kevin, MT, Cortez ,CO, Farmington, NM before moving to Williston in 1964. They loved raising their family and calling Williston home until 2012, when they moved to Fargo. They welcomed 5 sons and 1 daughter over the years and were thrilled to add 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren to the family, causing even more reasons to celebrate.

Maureen is survived by her loving husband of nearly 70 years, Bob, whose devotion and attentiveness to Mom has been so beautiful to witness. Her children: Brian and Janet Spooner (Bismarck), Jay and Jane Spooner (Fargo), Tobin and Joan Spooner (Fargo), Tim and Tracy Spooner (Scottsdale, AZ), and Nan and Chris Kennelly (Fargo). Her Grandchildren: Angie and Levi Olsen (Bismarck), Brent Spooner (Bismarck), Allison and Ryan Jasper (Fargo), John Spooner (Ponchatoula, LA), Brady Spooner (Bismarck), Jared Spooner (Platteville, WI), Elizabeth and Tim Dunn (Malta, NY), Patrick and Catherine Spooner (Glenmont, NY), Adam and Caitlin Spooner (St. Louis Park, MN), Sierra Norman (Albion, ID), Justin Spooner and Anna Lehn (Minneapolis, MN), Drew Spooner (Washington DC), Morgan Spooner (San Diego, CA), Callan Spooner (Tuskaloosa, AL), Reid Spooner (Scottsdale, AZ), Dylan Spooner (Phoenix, AZ), Lydia Kennelly (Spokane, WA) and Ryan Kennelly, (Spokane, WA). Adding to the fun are 16 great-grandchildren: Bergen, Lucas, Marcus, Bennett, Alec, Braxton, Aspen, Gavin, Nora, Madeline, Henry, Evelyn, Maureen, Sean, Rose, and George.

Maureen was preceded in death by her son, Kevin Spooner, granddaughter Andrea Maureen Spooner, sisters Albertine (Bette) and Colleen (Peaches), her parents, and many treasured friends and relatives.

Maureen was a loving matriarch, wife, sister, aunt and friend. Her legacy will live on through all of us who knew and loved her. We can honor her going forward by showing a kindness to others, making a "punny" comment, a delicious family meal or a handwritten note.

The family would like to thank the caring staff of Eventide of Fargo, from nursing to nutrition, music therapy, hair salon and activities. We can't adequately express our appreciation for the care and dignity shown to Mom over these last few years, and especially in these last weeks. The family would also like to thank Hospice of the Red River Valley for their wonderful care and support this last week.

Service Information:
Tuesday, April 11 at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home in Fargo, ND - Visitation from 5-7, Rosary at 6:30pm, Vigil Service at 7 pm.
Wednesday, April 12 at Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church in Fargo, ND - Visitation from 1:00-1:30pm with Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30pm.

Both services will be livestreamed on the funeral home website.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Eventide Senior Living Foundation or the Catholic Daughters chapter at St. Joseph's Parish.
https://eventide.networkforgood.com/projects/180156-support-eventide

Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home - Fargo, ND.