Wendy Mayrose

Wendy Spear Mayrose, 73, of Spartanburg, SC, died Sunday, December 22, 2019 peacefully in her home in the presence of her family. She was born and raised in Worcester, MA, the first of three children of Dr. Ivan M. and Hope (Hartwell) Spear. Wendy received her BA in Economics with a Mathematics minor from Connecticut College in 1968. That same year she married William C. Mayrose (Bill), who at the time was serving aboard the submarine, U.S.S. Robert E. Lee (SSBN-601) stationed out of New London, CT. In 1970, Wendy and Bill moved south to Shelby, NC for William to pursue a career with Celanese Corporation. They subsequently relocated with Celanese eight times, finally settling in Spartanburg, SC in 1990. Wendy's proudest achievement was managing and raising a loving and successful family. She was a tireless advocate for and contributor to the communities where she lived, particularly Spartanburg. She coordinated efforts to pass a bond referendum in the early 1990's to build a new Spartanburg County Headquarters Library in downtown Spartanburg, while being President of the Friends of the Library. She served as chairman of The Charles Lea Center Foundation Board and was co-chair with her husband Bill of the United Way of the Piedmont Fundraising Campaign in the late 1990's. Wendy was a strong supporter and advocate for culture and the arts in Spartanburg. She served as chairman of the Spartanburg Art Museum during the early stages of the design of the Chapman Cultural Center, was a Governing Board Member of the West Main Artists Co-Op, and served on the Board of the Artist Guild of Spartanburg. Most of the artwork collection in her home are originals created by local Spartanburg artists. She and her husband were co-receivers of the David Reid Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2011. Additionally, Wendy chaired several other major projects including Dickens of a Christmas, the Arts Partnership Dance in the Woods, and several others. An active golfer, Wendy also served on The Carolina Country Club Board of Directors and was active in organizing the Ladies Golf Association. One of her greatest joys was her daily walks on the beach at Fripp Island where she had a second home. She leaves her beloved husband, Bill; her daughter, Sara and her husband Bob Bergman of Fort Mill, SC and their two children, Catherine and Hope; and a son, John and his wife Leslie Walfish of Oshkosh, WI. She also leaves a brother, Brian Spear and his wife Monique of Paris, France; and sister, Penny and her husband Gene Kaczyk of Worcester, MA. She also leaves a number of in-law relatives located in or originating from Louisville, KY. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 PM Saturday, January 4, 2020, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307. A service honoring her life will be conducted at 3:00 PM Sunday, January 5, 2020, at First Presbyterian Church, 393 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29302, by The Rev. Ansley Page and The Rev. Joanne Hull. Memorials may be made to The Charles Lea Center Foundation, 195 Burdette Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307, 864-585-0322, [email protected] or online at https://www.charleslea.org/foundation/donate-online.html Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Wendy Mayrose please visit our Sympathy Store.