Doreen Spearin

Doreen Spearin (nee Brynelson); age 95; of Rochester Hills, Michigan; formerly of Oxford, Michigan; passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 surrounded by her children.

Born on October 26, 1921 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she was the middle of five daughters of the late John and Lillie Brynelson. Doreen began her working career in the Campbell Dental Lab in Winnipeg and following completion of a business course, went to work for Ford Motor Company in their Winnipeg Parts Depot as a comptometer.  There she met her future husband, Cecil, in September, 1951. They were married in 1953, and his 30 year career with Ford Motor Company took them on many foreign assignments including Singapore, Canada, Bermuda, and Greece.  They returned to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan in 1969 and eventually retired in Calabash, North Carolina in 1985.  She and Cecil returned to Oxford, Michigan in 2007 to be closer to their children.

Doreen had a fun-loving spirit and delighted in each new adventure. She enjoyed meeting people and made friendships that were kept alive over many years through her dedicated correspondence.  Her passions included playing golf and bridge, and raising her family.  She was a voracious reader, often consuming a book a week, and looked forward to the challenge of the Sunday crossword puzzle.

Cecil predeceased Doreen in 2011 after 57 years of marriage. Doreen is survived by her children, Roderick (Sally) of Troy, Michigan, Kathryn (James) Hurst of Metamora, Michigan, and John (Robin) of Fishers, Indiana.  She was the proud grandmother of Jeffrey (Megan) Spearin, Reid Spearin, Molly (Jeff) Meador, Laura Hurst, Michael Hurst, Jackson Spearin and Everett Spearin; and great grandmother of Charlie Spearin and Mackenzie Meador. She is survived by her sister Phyllis Ireland of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.  She was preceded in death by sisters Helen Eccles, Daphne Brynelson, and Lois Wright.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, 2512 Joslyn Court Lake Orion, Michigan 48360 or Sanctuary of Bellbrook, 873 W. Avon Rd., Rochester Hills, Michigan 48307. Arrangements are being handled by Sparks-Griffin Funeral home in Lake Orion, Michigan. A private memorial service will be held at St. Mary’s in the Hills Episcopal Church. Guest reflections may be made at www.sparksgriffin.com.