Doreen Mead

Doreen Mead, 84, of Hendersonville, NC passed away Thursday, August 20, 2009. She previously resided in Arnold, Maryland.

Born in Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Lewis C. Sphung and Margaret Voelkle Sphung. She was a World War II veteran, having served in the US Navy Waves. After the war, she attended Indiana University. While there, she met Marshall Mead and they were married in 1947.

She was employed by the National Institutes of Health, originally as a writer and editor. She was promoted to Public Information Officer at the Cancer Institute, where she was responsible for public relations and communications. One of her proudest accomplishments was later earning her bachelorís degree in Social Science from American University with high honors at age 51.

After retirement, Doreen and her husband Marshall moved to the Annapolis area. She worked part-time as a congressional aide in the Maryland General Assembly. Doreen and Marshall were enthusiastic sailors, and they explored the Chesapeake Bay with their sailboat, accompanied by their dog, Toby.

Doreen was intellectually curious and pursued many interests. She loved literature and was an avid reader of novels, poetry, biographies and history. She followed current events, and was a life-long active Democrat. During her time in the Washington and Annapolis area, she frequently visited the Capitolís art galleries and museums. She was a nature-lover all her life, and she enjoyed camping with her family and birdwatching with her Bird Club.

Doreen was a loving wife and mother to her three daughters. She was a wonderful grandmother and great-grandmother, and she created a lively and comfortable home for all her far-flown family. All who knew her will miss her engaging conversations, her sense of humor, her excellent cooking, and her ability to make all feel welcome and well cared for.

She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Marshall Walter Mead of Hendersonville; her daughters, Barbara E. Mead; Susan Mead Padgett and son-in-law Joseph Padgett; and Margaret (Maggie) Mead Clancy and partner Alan McGregor; grandchildren, Mariela Lynde, Erika and Spencer Padgett, and Sarah Mead Leonard; and great-grandchildren, Isabel and Benjamin Lynde; and canine companion, Sammi. She was pre-deceased by her parents, her brother, Roland and her sister, Beryl.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, August 24, 2009 in the Kirby Memorial Chapel of Shuler Funeral Home. The Reverend Janet Harvey will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to The Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037 (www.hsus.org).