Nancy Speer, 70
A celebration of life will be held for Nancy Eileen (Mosbarger) Speer, a longtime resident of the Flathead Valley, on Saturday, April 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Patio, 204 Wisconsin Ave., Whitefish, MT 59937. Friends and community members are welcome to attend.
Nancy, 70, passed away on Sept. 10, 2024, in Great Falls where she lived with her husband, Gary Abel.
She is survived by her husband; her son, Joseph Basirico of Seattle; daughter-in-law, Katherine Sather; and grandchildren, William, 11, and Matthew Basirico, 8.
Nancy was an artist, educator, loving mother, and devoted friend. Passionate about the arts, she explored a variety of creative pursuits and embraced unexpected hobbies, including operating heavy machinery, fighting wildfires, and driving a tour bus in Glacier National Park. Her favorite quote was, "Those who don’t hear the music think the dancers mad."
Born in Long Beach, California, on Dec. 26, 1953, Nancy spent most of her childhood in Kalispell where she shared a special bond with her grandmother, whom she affectionately called "Nanny."
An adventurous spirit, Nancy left Montana after high school to attend the San Francisco Institute of Art, where she earned her B.A. During this time, she traveled to Bogotá, Colombia, an experience she often reminisced about.
In 1980 she married her first husband, Joseph Basirico, and together they lived in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, where they welcomed their son. Some of Nancy’s fondest memories included swimming in the warm Caribbean waters while pregnant. It was in the Virgin Islands that she formed lifelong friendships with Lindy Brown of New Orleans and Jan Masters of Florida.
Nancy dedicated much of her career to teaching art, particularly to children. She taught in Kalispell and Missoula; Reno, Nevada; and Clinton, Iowa, sharing her passion for creativity wherever she went. She was known for her hand-drawn Christmas cards and handmade clay ornaments, which she crafted for friends each holiday season.
In 2014, Nancy married Gary Abel in Great Falls. The two met when Nancy worked as a caregiver for Gary’s parents, and together they built an art studio where Nancy taught art to military veterans, even establishing a nonprofit dedicated to this cause.
Nancy found joy in learning about NASA, spending time with family and friends, and sculpting in her art studio. In her later years, she was fortunate to have a loving husband and dedicated caregivers who supported her through her journey with dementia. Her family is deeply grateful for their kindness and care.
Nancy’s life was defined by creativity, adventure, and an unwavering love for those around her. She is dearly missed.