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Esther Eileen Spears 88, died in Sunnyvale, CA, on Sunday, June
14, 2009, following a brief illness. Esther Eileen was born September 7, 1920,
in Peoria, IL, to Paul "Shorty" Burgard and Nelda Steele Burgard. Some knew her
as Esther, others as Eileen, she used both names at different times in her life.
She married Albert "Al" Spears in San Francisco, CA, in April, 1943. She
traveled to San Francisco from Peoria to marry him, and had never been away from
home before. They were married 51 years until his death in 1994. While Al was in
the Coast Guard, they were stationed on the Farallon Islands, where they started
their family. Later, Al and Eileen made their home in Napa, then moved to Daly
City. They finally settled in Sunnyvale and remained there for nearly 40 years.
After raising six children, Esther went back to school and worked for many years
as an accounts payable clerk for the City of Sunnyvale. She was delighted to
tell of the time she wrote a check for over a million dollars to pay for a city
fire truck. Esther enjoyed gourmet cooking, gardening, and sewing. She will be
remembered for her quirky sense of humor. Esther is survived by her two sisters,
Betty Delk of Ocala, FL, and Lorraine Hurst, of Grand Rapids, MI, and by her
children, Janet and husband Stuart of New York City, Bill and wife Jo, of San
Francisco, Ken and wife Susan of Anchorage, Tom and wife Carol of Oceanside,
Polly and husband Peter of Brisbane, CA, and Margaret of Sunnyvale. She has five
grandchildren, Hugh and wife Amy, Justin, Derek, and Alexia, and one great
grandchild, Liam. Over the years, her level head and pure heart created a family
that has been able to stay together in spite of being geographically separated,
and that will remain united now that she has passed. There was a children's book
in the house when we grew up titled No Fighting, No Biting about two scrapping
alligator children and their human counterparts. Mom would often use this phrase
as an admonishment when she heard trouble brewing, and this phrase still has the
power to make each of us stop and reconsider today. It is a tribute to her love
for her children that she mentioned the phrase, "No fighting, No Biting!" in her
will regarding the disposition of her assets. It is with great thanks that her
family recognizes the contribution of Eileen's youngest daughter, Margaret, who
served as caregiver extraordinaire during Eileen's last years. Esther will be
inurned with her husband in the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno. A
memorial service with a webcast is planned for 2 pm July 24 at St Martin's
Catholic Church in Sunnyvale. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation
to any of the following veteran's organizations: Disabled American Veterans
Charitable Service Trust, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076, tel:
(859) 441-7300. National Military Family Association, 2500 North Van Dorn
Street, Suite 102, Alexandria, VA 22302, tel: (800) 260-0218. Army Emergency
Relief, 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22332, tel: (866) 878-6378 Esther was
kind, forgiving, and generous. We will miss her dearly.
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