Mary Frances \ Sprague

WEAVERVILLE—Mary Frances "Nana" Sprague, 92, of Weaverville, died Tuesday, October 16, 2012, after a brief period of declining health. Born February 21, 1920, in Hempstead, NY, she was the daughter of the late Richard and Edna Hasslinger. She is also preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, George Francis Sprague; son, George Richard Sprague; and sisters, Ruth Bamman and Janet Nadasky. Mary was an avid learner and attended classes at the College for Seniors at UNCA every semester for the last 19 years. In years past she was an active member of Friends of the Library in Weaverville and volunteered countless hours there. She also served as a volunteer at the Rathbun Center for the past 11 years. Mary loved reading and always enjoyed participating in the discussions with her neighbors in the KyFields Book Club. She was also an active patron of the Asheville Symphony. After age 60, Mary learned a new craft of lap quilting, and made many beautiful quilts for her family to enjoy. Her family was most important to "Nana" and she loved family gatherings and socializing with her friends. Her loving smile and kind words will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her. She is survived by her daughter, Gail Martinez and husband Willie of Land O'Lakes, Florida; daughter-in-law, Lenda Sprague of Weaverville; grandchildren, Richard Cary Sprague of Charlotte, Kris Sprague of Manhattan, Kan., Kelli Sprague of Charlotte, Mary Jennifer "Jennie" Palmer and husband Doug of Land O'Lakes Fla., and RyAnne Sprague of Portland, Ore. She also had three great grandchildren, Camden and Carsyn Palmer of Land O'Lakes, Fla., and Douglas Wells of Portland, Ore. The family will gather at Mary's home to receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 19, 2012. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Reuter Center at UNCA on a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to CarePartners Hospice Foundation, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813, or Weaverville Library, Weaverville, NC 28787, or the Rathbun Center, 121 Sherwood Rd., Asheville, NC 28803. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mrs. Sprague's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.