ROCKLAND — Hazel Nutt Spear, 89, of Rockland, passed away Aug. 19, 2014, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Hazel was born Oct. 22, 1924, in West Rockport, the youngest daughter of Robert and Amy Nutt. She graduated from high school in Tilton, N.H., and from the University of Maine in Orono in 1946. She worked briefly at the Hyde School in Bath as a social worker.

She married the love of her life, Everett L. Spear II of Rockland, on May 14, 1950. They built their home on Samoset Road in 1954. They filled theirs and their children's lives with love and lasting memories, which included enduring friendships with neighborhood families.

A kind and generous person, Hazel was an active member of the Rockland Congregational Church, a 4-H leader and a devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed reading, painting, knitting, working on jigsaw puzzles and traveling with her husband. She cherished her family and looked forward to every summer when the family gathered for their annual clambake. Her strawberry rhubarb pies were a family favorite.

Hazel was predeceased by her husband, Everett, in 2003; her daughter, Susan, in 1953; and her sister, Bernice Crockett, in 2009. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Anne and Edward Czepiga, Bonita and Michael O'Day, Ruth and Jeffrey Wood, Elizabeth and Richard Gedney, Everett L. III and Rona Spear, and William N. and Robin Spear; 17 grandchildren, Courtney Czepiga, Carly Czepiga and her husband, Trent Musso, Ted Czepiga, Timothy O'Day and his wife, Michele, Molly O'Day, Michael Wood, William Wood, Kate Gedney, Kendra Gedney, Everett Lincoln Spear IV, Parker Spear, Preston Spear, Elliott Spear and Marshall Spear, Bradley Spear, Griffin Spear, and Lauren Spear; her great-grandson, Harrison O'Day; and two sisters, Dorothy Hull and Roberta Andrews; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A gathering to celebrate her life and love will be held Saturday, Aug. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Hazel's lifelong love of reading, memorial donations may be made to the Friends of the Rockland Public Library, P. O. Box 764, Rockland, ME 04841.