MELROSE — Amy (Wentworth) Spollett, 94, a lifelong resident of Melrose and longtime social activist, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Bear Hill Nursing Center in Wakefield, on Monday, April 13.
Amy was born in Melrose, one of two children of the late Benning L. and Ethel (Moore) Wentworth. She was raised in Melrose, graduated from Melrose High School, Class of 1939, and from Bridgewater Teacher’s College in 1943. In March of 1945, she married Frederick Spollett at the First Congregational Church in Melrose, and settled in Melrose to raise three children. Amy lived a full, passionate 94 year life, devoting herself to her family, friends, and the Melrose community.
Amy believed strongly in making the world a better place, and committed herself to improving social issues in Melrose and beyond. She was a passionate volunteer with the Refugee Immigration Ministry, helping provide safety for those in need, and the Roxbury-Melrose Day Camp, a collaborative program bringing together urban and suburban youth. She was also very involved with the City Mission Society, an outreach program for needy families in the City of Boston.
Amy’s commitment to programs to improve Melrose spanned across generations. She volunteered for the Melrose Well Child Clinic in the 1960’s and 70’s, and more recently served as “the bee” at the annual Bridge Partnership Trivia Bee. Amy was also a board member of the Melrose Visiting Nurse Association, a 50-year member of the Kappa Delta Psi Sorority, and served as the Kappa Swap Shop cleaning lady for many years.
Amy was a lifelong, devoted, and inspirational member of the First Congregational Church of Melrose. She was a member of Circle 5, and was involved in nearly every facet of Church life at one time. Amy was particularly interested in improving her church and community through programs that supported the well being of children. She served as the Church School Director for 25 years and in the 1970’s, was instrumental in guiding the church’s future with the opening of the Melrose Day Care Center. A founder and 35-year board member of the Melrose Day Care Center, Amy’s vision of establishing a safe place for all children still thrives today.
She loved family trips to Bayside Village in Maine, never wavering in her love of swimming. She cherished spending time with her family especially playing cards with her great-grandchildren.
Amy was a sharp woman with an inquisitive mind, reading the Boston Globe front to back every day. She was both physically and mentally strong, and kept family and friends guessing with her whimsical side. With her quick wit, and ever present smile, she endeared herself to many. She took a sincere interest in other’s lives, and found great delight in the many relationships she developed in all phases of life. She was universally accepting, loved unconditionally, and the imprint she leaves on her church, and with her family, and friends will live on in their hearts.
Amy was the beloved wife of the late Frederick Spollett with whom she shared 43 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Martha E. Williams and her husband Keith of Reading, Peter F. Spollett and his wife Linda of Laconia, NH, and David W. Spollett and his wife Geralyn of Fairfield, CT. She was the dear sister of the late Benning L. Wentworth, Jr. She was the cherished grandmother of Mark P. Rowe and his wife Karen of Melrose, Kate A. Watson and her husband Mark of Wilmington, Sarah Spollett of Cambridge, Dale Spollett of Los Angeles, CA, Andrew Spollett of Nantucket, and Rachel Spollett of Fairfield, CT. She was the loving great-grandmother of Kelsey, Jake, Amy, Hannah, Ryan and Timothy.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Amy’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, April 16, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and for her funeral service at the First Congregational Church, 121 W. Foster St., Melrose celebrated on Friday at 10 a.m.
Gifts in Amy’s memory may be made to the Memorial Fund at the Church, or to the Melrose Day Center & Preschool, 121 W. Foster St., Melrose MA 02176.
For online tribute or to share a memory, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com