 SPEER, MYRTLE RUTH Myrtle Ruth (Cox) Speer, known as "Myrtle" in her childhood and "Ruth" as an adult, was born in Bramber, Hants County, Nova Scotia, July 29, 1923. After growing up in Vermont and Maine, she entered the WAVES in 1944. A certified pilot, she assisted in searching for lost aircraft and became one of the first female air traffic controllers. In 1951, she married John B. (Jack) Speer, her husband of 57 years. After having two children and moving to New Mexico in 1961, she continued active in the community in AAUW, as First Methodist church historian, and in many other activities including genealogical research and playing tennis until the age of eighty. She lovingly cared for her husband, Jack, until his death from cancer in 2008. At the end of her 90 years, she always had a smile and a pleasant word for her family and caretakers and retained her sense of humor and her love of nature until the very end. She is survived by her brother and wife, Robert and Severina Cox, of Eugene, OR; son and wife, Edward and Debra Speer, of Redding, CA; daughter, Margaret Ann Abercrombie, of Santa Rosa, NM; and four grandchildren, Jessica and Joseph Abercrombie and Sierra and Cameron Speer. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at 3:30 pm at French-University Chapel. FRENCH - University 1111 University Blvd NE 505-843-6333
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