Burial Date
Obituaries » MANDY K. SPEAKER
SPEAKER, MANDY KAY, 36, of Barre, died unexpectedly March 16, at her home. Born May 2, 1977, in Olean, N.Y., she was the daughter of Martin A. and Joan (Slaughter) Thurston. She graduated from high school in Farmington, N.H., in 1995 and received an associate degree in animal science from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H., in 1997. In 1999, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in the same discipline from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore. Mandy was a professional university fundraiser and had been employed in that role at Oregon State University, The University of New England in Portland, Maine, and at Goddard College in Plainfield. She had recently been appointed as development coordinator and fundraiser for the Good Samaritan Haven in Barre. Mandy was an active volunteer wherever she made her home and especially enjoyed helping young people, animals, crocheting hats for Christmas gifts, photography and yarn craftwork. She will be remembered as a generous and giving person, always willing to help. Besides her partner, Lane Safford, with whom she shared her home, and his son, C.J. Safford, she also leaves her mother and father, Joan and Jerry Speaker, of Brownsville, Tex., and her sister, Marti Jo Chavez, of Tempe, Ariz., as well as more distant relatives.
