Edith "Edie" Spear
Edith "Edie" Spear (nee Finkelstein) |
(March 5, 1929 - September 21, 2026) |
The date was March 5, 1929. Edith Spear was born, then raised and educated in Chicago, as were both of her parents. When she was about five years old, she was enrolled in a dance class and performed at Soldier Field! Edie earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Roosevelt College, now University. That led to working on the Nautilus, the first nuclear submarine at Argonne National Laboratory. Al Spear and Edie began dating and on their first date, he took her folk dancing at the University of Chicago, to a group under the direction of Vyts Beliajus. Al and Edie really got along and married a year later. They kept going folk dancing and danced with Vyts for many years. To this day, we find Edie at many dance events. Edie passed away on September 21, 2026 at the age of 97. Frequentl Asked Questions - https://www.shalommemorial.org/frequently-asked-questions/ Shiva InformationShiva InformationThe Family is receiving calls of condolence at: and at The Home of Stephen Spear & Sarah Evens Wednesday and Thursday 4 PM – 8 PM Contributions
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| From Steve Spear: Edith “Edie” Spear, 97, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2026. Beloved wife of the late Alex for nearly 60 wonderful years. Born and raised in Chicago, Edie met her beloved Al in Union Pier, Michigan, through her lifelong best friend, Naomi. They married shortly after Edie graduated from high school. Edie believed that women could achieve as much as they dared to dream, and she lived by that belief. A mathematics graduate of Roosevelt University, she began her career working on plans for the nuclear reactor that powered the Nautilus. After devoting 22 years to raising her family, she returned to work as a systems analyst. Al introduced Edie to swing dancing, tango, and folk dancing, passions they shared throughout their lives. Edie taught at dance workshops and led a weekly dance group in Oak Park for more than 40 years. She also enjoyed cooking, gardening, opera, and traveling the world. Edie and Al's home in Union Pier remains in the family today, connecting future generations to a place they both cherished. Edie is survived by her children, Leah, Stephen (Sarah), Mika and Laura (Michael); her grandchildren, Daniel (Stephanie), Amy (Phil), Talia, Michael, Zachary, Leah, Chezi (partner Dikla), Yael, Julia (fiancé Zach), Ariel, Brandon (Diana) and Ryan (partner Kyle); and her great-grandchildren, Leo, Mili, James, Wolf, Conrad, Savanna and Cooper. She was also a treasured aunt, great-aunt and friend to many. Edie leaves behind a legacy of independence, curiosity, and class, shared with the family and friends she loved. — Chapel service will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 2:30 PM at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Interment to follow at Shalom Memorial Park. For details on the service, shiva information and to leave condolences, visit www.shalommemorial.org or call (847) 255-3520. |
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Early 1970s - Sunday Marathon Dance at Ida Noyes Hall during the University of Chicago Folk Festival (Jan-Feb) Foreground (l to r) Paul Collins, Sandra Faxon, Flo Fooden, unknown, Al Rubenstein, Edie Spear, unknown. |