Margaret Spining

Margaret Lawrene Spining passed away on June 18, 2012, just sixteen days after her 93rd birthday at Four Corners Healthcare Center from complications of age, stroke and heart disease.

She was born in Durango, June 2, 1919, the eldest daughter of Alvin "Red" and Charlotte Kimsey, and the first baby delivered in Durango by Dr. Childress. A child with multiple health problems for many years during her childhood, many did not expect she would have an extended life. But family members recalled her temperament as being "wiry and fiery," so her father always said she might well live to be a 100.

Margaret grew up on farms on the Florida Mesa, attending rural country schools for her early education and later Durango High School. A bit of a 'tom boy' growing up, she was an avid fisherman even as a girl. She would often "hitch" a ride on the early morning train going to Silverton and drop off at Tacoma, spending the day fishing and then riding the evening train back to Durango. At the age of six, her family moved to Silverton during the year that the town was cut-off from some 45 days because of snow slides in and around Animas Canyon. That sort of adventurousness continued through her life, as she took her first river float trip at the age of 85 and until her health declined, she was planning to take a ride on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

When World War II came, she relocated to Denver where she worked in various war industry productions facilities, but returned to her family home in Durango just as the war ended. She reconnected with a childhood beau, Ralph "Rusty" Spining, who had also just returned from combat service in the South Pacific. The two childhood friends eloped to get married in Albuquerque in 1946, where Rusty was participating in a veteran's vocational education training program. They lived for the next four years in Hot Springs, New Mexico, but returned to their beloved Durango in 1950.

Margaret became a full time mom and home maker, raising the couple's two children. Over the years, she also became the caregiver for many other family members, tending her own mother and father until their deaths and also serving as at-home caregiver for other family members during their illnesses. Although not medically trained, she had a life-long gift for calming and comforting others.

A woman with an active intellect and high levels of curiosity, she loved games, puzzles and any sort of activity that stimulated the mind. She was an avid crossword puzzle enthusiast, working the newspaper crossword daily and also other crosswords and puzzle game books.

She is survived by her two children, Bruce Spining and Avena Spining, both of Durango, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hood Mortuary. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at Greenmount Cemetery. Larry Barnes and Bill Ball will co-officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Animas Museum or to a charity of your choice. A family and friends picnic gathering will be held later in the summer.