Burial Date
Obituaries » SHARLEEN SPEIR
SPEIR, SHARLEEN, 71, a longtime Hardwick resident, died peacefully in the comfort of her home with her sister Sheryl at her bedside. Shar was born May 23, 1942, in Barre, the daughter of the late Allan and Ruby (Griswold) Speir. She attended Hardwick schools and graduated from Hardwick Academy as valedictorian of the class of 1960. She began her working career in New York. Shar missed being away from her family, and returned to Vermont where she was employed as a mortgage supervisor for the Howard Bank in Burlington. Ready to come back to her roots and be closer to her father, she returned to her family home. Back in Hardwick, she embarked on the career she will be most remembered for, as a dispatcher for the Hardwick Rescue Squad, Hardwick Fire Department and several local businesses. Shar excelled in this position for more than 29 years, serving the community she loved. In addition, she served as treasurer and bookkeeper for Hardwick Rescue, issued fire permits and provided child care for local children. When her dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Shar became his primary caregiver, allowing him to remain in the home where he’d raised his family. Shar’s devotion to her father exemplified who she was and how much she cared for her family. For Shar, being surrounded by her father, her sisters, her nieces and nephews, and later their children, brought her the most joy, reinforcing the traditions she loved and creating treasured memories. Shar was a member of the United Church of Hardwick. She loved to read and was happiest when surrounded by her books, her plants and her flowers. Her love of cooking was second only to reading. Shar also enjoyed gardening, doing puzzles, crafts and playing games with her nieces and nephews. She will be remembered as the cool, calm voice at the other end of the line, when phoning in an emergency, and most dearly as simply “Aunt Shar.” Survivors include her sister Sheryl Sancibrian and husband, Bill, of Barre, and the nieces and nephews that held the most special place in her heart: Lori Somerville, husband, Paul, of Colchester, and their children; Kevin Johnson, of Danville, and his sons; Darryl Johnson and wife, Holly, of Greensboro, and their children; Julie Sancibrian, of Barre; Deb Smith and husband, Grant, of West Newbury, Mass., and their children; and Marc Sancibrian and wife, Nicole, of East Montpelier, and their children. Shar is also survived by two cousins. In addition to her parents and grandparents, she was predeceased by her sister Sheila Johnson, of Greensboro.
