SPRINGFIELD – Geraldine Fay “Geri” (Clark) Spear, 84, of the Forest Park neighborhood in Springfield, was surrounded by her loving family when she went home to heaven on Monday, August 10, 2026. She was born on January 6, 1942, a daughter of the late Reginald and Donna (Ballou) Clark. She was raised in Springfield, a high honor student and graduate of the High School of Commerce. Geri lived in her beautiful family home in the Park almost her entire life; she was raised in this home since she was five years old with her parents, grandparents, and sister - Geri and her husband fulfilled her dream and purchased the home from her parents in 1966 to raise her family of six children — she created a home that was completely full of love — and extended her love to all that entered her home...
Geri was very artistic, creative, an amazing seamstress and very entrepreneurial; she channeled her talents as the creative genius; woman owned, the iconic Costume Closet in Springfield for over 40 years — her passion was to create special happy moments through costumes; she was the go to person as a brilliant makeup artist and costume designer for many local theatre productions throughout New England and worked closely with the local goodness of the Melha Shriners Clowns Unit. She was recognized with a proclamation by the City of Springfield honoring her dedication and tenacious spirit as a very successful business woman and contributor to the local community — she was known as a giving soul. Geri was instrumental in supporting the success of her husband’s very successful business, Spear Speciality Shoes; including shoes for Cirque du Soleil, professional sport teams mascots, Johnny Carson from “the Tonight Show” and Harry Anderson from “Night Court”, and the extraordinary contract to create over 40 male cast members shoes for the movie, “The Grinch That Stole Christmas.”
Geri leaves the love of her life; her adoring, loving husband, best friend and soul mate of 67 years, John E. Spear. They met and fell in love while both working at Mass Mutual Insurance Company in Springfield; they were married in the living room of the home she grew up in and eventually purchased — a beautiful ceremony on Thanksgiving with their family present on November 26, 1959. They completed each other, you would never see them apart, always holding hands — always deeply in love. Geri never took her wedding ring off once — she told John if she did take it off, he better run. Last year, the day before their anniversary – the Mayor of the City of Springfield, the Honorable Dominic Sarno, surprised and visited their home to honor and proclaim their anniversary as Mr. and Mrs. Spear DAY by the “City of Homes.” One of our most favorite things to experience and witness is our parents 67 year long love story - they honored each other in a way that is so real. Our sweet, gentle spirited Dad always says he married and took a vow to God and to Mom, to honor, cherish and love her forever. This statement has inspired our family and many others to understand that marriage is a sacred union of unconditional and profound everlasting love. Their 67 year love story is the definition of true love…
Geri's life was divinely orchestrated, she was destined to be a Mother; destined to be a Spear — the origins and meaning of her name, Geraldine, is ‘the ruler of the spears’ and ‘the carrier of little spears’ — she manifested her destiny indeed as the Matriarch of the Spear Family. Geri leaves an abundance of love from her very large and very loved SPEAR family. Her beautiful family filled her heart and soul with so much love and joy - they were everything to her and she was everything to them…she made everyone feel so loved, so special, so significant in her and Grandpa’s lives.
Geri was predeceased by two of her loving sons; ‘her stars in heaven’ - Glen and Gene Spear; along with her very loved daughter-in-law, Jackie Spear; and her nephew, Tracy Helin.
She was adored by her children, she was the very best Grandma to her 47 grandchildren and she loved being Gigi to her littlest loves, her 15 great grandchildren — her happiest moments in life were when ALL of the family came together at ‘the house’ for SPEAR FAMILY Christmas — her soul smiled. She never missed a child's birthday and made each child feel so incredibly loved…
She leaves her first born child and only daughter who adored her Momma, Michelle “Mikki” Lessard and her husband, Barry, of Monson, and their blended family; Erikkalee Scheinost and her husband, Tyler, and their daughters, Madison and Spencer, all of Granby; Kyle Elysse Posson and her husband, John, and their son, Finn, all of New York; Jeff Lessard and his wife, Amanda, and their daughters, Kylie and Leah, all of Chicopee; and Stefanie White and her husband, Jeff, and their children, Sammie and Sofia, all of New Jersey.
She leaves her incredibly caring and loving son, Greg Spear and his wife, Tania, of West Springfield, and their family, Tony Spear and his fiancée, Erica Sloan, of West Springfield; Taryn Pandolfi and her husband, Nick, and their children, Brody, Luke and Gwendolyn, all of West Springfield; Michael Spear of New York; and Emmalee Spear of West Springfield.
She leaves her favorite adoring CLOWN and love; Gary Spear of Springfield, and his daughters, Gabriella Wagner and her husband, Eric, and their daughter, Lucia Rose, all of Agawam; Grace Colon and her husband, Seth, on duty in Italy; and Giavana Spear of Agawam.
She leaves her loving and caring son, Geof Spear and his wife, Maria, of Westfield, and their son, Johnathon Spear and his fiancée, Kiana Grover, of Enfield, CT.
She leaves her loving son, David Trudeau of Texas, and his children, Glen, Mark, Jenny, Ryan, Nathan, Emily and Will.
She leaves her loving daughter-in-law, Nicole Ward and her husband, Travis, of Otis, and their family, Nathaniel Spear and his wife, Sarah, of Granby, Christian Spear and his wife, Gabriella of Agawam, Taylor Spear and his girlfriend, Ana, of Virginia, and Evan Spear of Easthampton.
She loved her daughter-in-law, Jane Spear of Springfield, and her family, Alexandra LaPorte and her husband, Dan, and their children, Hazel Jane and Maverick, all of East Longmeadow; Mackie Gene Spear and her wife, Shannon, and their family, Olivia and Owen, all of Chicopee; and Amelia Spear and her boyfriend, Hayden, of Agawam.
Geri also leaves her best friend and beautiful sister, Joyce “Jodi” Ogonowski of Palmer; her daughter, Jennifer Deslauriers and her son, Josh, both of East Longmeadow; and her daughter-in-law, Christy Kovel of Connecticut.
She was a beloved Auntie to Laura Lee and John Martin, Sharon Kaseman, Tina Sabat, and Matthew and Cathy Sabat; Irene and Jim Offutt; and Carrie Malkinski -- along with cousins, extended family members, and dear loving friends that were more like family to her…
...there are no words to express the depths of our sorrow and the loss we are experiencing as a family with the passing of our Spear Matriarch.
Our beautiful Mother over the years has been observed as being incredibly strong and almost stoic. Our Mother was a person who has endured incredible pain and heartache doing her very best to never complain; she was always concerned and thinking of the others who are suffering with health issues more serious than hers. Throughout her life experiences, she has developed and embraced a profound understanding of grace, gratitude and faith while embracing the incredible healing power of unconditional love...
Through the lens and experiences of hope, compassion, kindness, empathy, laughter and so much love -- we hope you find comfort in leaning into your faith knowing that Mom's soul is at peace, her body is no longer in pain, and her incredibly beautiful spirit lives on…
Our Mother taught us to be thoughtful, kind and giving; our family was humbled and honored to present Mom's last offering to humanity - it was her wish to offer the gift of her body to help another soul in need. Her wishes were fulfilled with mercy and grace. As a family, we experienced the most profound walk of honor -- Mom had her own parade to honor her generosity and grace of her gift of life...
We would like to extend our gratitude for the compassionate, loving care our Mom received by the EMTs who brought her to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield -- we are so humbled and so grateful for the hearts and souls of the staff in the ER, the ICU nurses and the comfort care hospice unit -- and we as a family would like to honor our beautiful sister, Tania Spear RN who was our 'ANGEL' through this most painful and difficult chapter we experienced as a family...
Our entire Spear Family wishes to express our sincere gratitude for the abundant acts of kindness, support and comforting words this past week. We gratefully appreciate the cards, messages and expressions of sympathy during this most difficult time.
In honoring Geri's wishes, our family will gather and celebrate our Mom's beautiful life and legacy privately. We are so grateful for the kindness and compassion of Pastor Peter of New Day Church for offering our family prayer and peace.
Our Mom found comfort and peace believing in and witnessing signs from heaven -- you might have noticed she wore a butterfly pin every single day of her life since 1979 when her Mom went to heaven. Mom did not stop mothering us with love when we grew up; it simply became a little quieter, she worried in silence, she prayed privately, she was so happy and smiled, and laughed with us when we visited and called sharing stories and sincerely caring about our lives. She will continue to carry a little piece of our hearts in heaven -- if you see a butterfly -- (she lovingly called them "flutterbys") -- it is her -- gently reminding you she loves you and is with you always...
To honor our beautiful Mom, donations may be made to the organization she cared deeply about, the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104.
Her funeral arrangements are entrusted to the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com