Mary Margaret (Ferianc) Spahn

Mary Ferianc Spahn, 74, of Carmel, Indiana, passed away at home on April 19, 2024. She was surrounded in love by her husband and daughter. Mary was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Margaret D’Aniella Ferianc and Benjamin Ferianc.

Her family later moved to Michigan where she graduated from Trenton High School, class of 1967. In her later years she found much joy in reconnecting with former classmates. She attended Michigan State University where she earned a degree in English from the College of Arts and Letters. She was on a synchronized swimming team and a proud member of Kappa Delta Sorority.

After graduation, she met and married James Edward Spahn, Jr, and embarked upon a 51-year love affair. They met at the Levittown Public Recreation Association Pool in Levittown, Pennsylvania. Each managing a different pool, as they were leaving an all-team meeting, Mary saw Jim in his car and said, “Nice wheels!” Later, Jim told his close friend that he’d never met anyone else like Mary, and that was that.

Mary was a teacher, then leaving the profession to become the first female district manager for Hunt-Wesson Foods in the 1970s. She loved her career but decided to stay home to raise their daughter, Andrea, when she was born.

Mary and Jim were true partners as they moved around the country together. She loved her family fiercely and moved back home to Philadelphia for a time to care for her ailing father. Mary, Jim, and Andrea lived in Bucks County near Philadelphia, Orlando, New Orleans and lastly Carmel, Indiana. Mary took special care to find where they would live next and would interview the school principals in their new town. She was the constant researcher and leader.

Once in Carmel, they decided to make it their home. When Jim started his own company, Mary was paramount in building and growing a successful business for over 20 years.

With duty and love, her mother came to live with her family in Carmel until she passed.  Mary enjoyed playing the piano throughout her life. She played music on her grand piano in the living room while her daughter danced in circles. She was a voracious reader and language enthusiast. She enjoyed the prose of Shakespeare and Hemingway and Frost, and often recited poetry to her young daughter. She was proud of her Slovakian heritage and became an active member of the National Slovak Society. A lover of arts and culture, she held season tickets to the Palladium, Beef and Boards theater, Symphony on the Prairie and often attended the Hilbert Circle Theater to see a symphony or show. She was an avid swimmer throughout her life, and in her later years could be found swimming laps every day of the summer, and at the beach in Florida in the winter. As a member of Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, Mary served as Deacon and was actively involved in a Bible Study.

Her grandchildren were her real pride and joy. When her first grandchild Matilda, was born, she generously and without hesitation offered to care for her during the day when her daughter Andrea, had to return to work. She loved watching her granddaughter roll and then crawl around her home for six months. This was one of the most joyous times in her life.

Mary was as intelligent as she was witty. She didn’t know a stranger and would light up a room. She made friends easily and built deep friendships across the country. She’s known for her long-handwritten notes and phone calls to friends. Mary fondest memories were of living in Bucks County and Pittsburgh because that’s where her family was. Everywhere she went, in every part of her life, there was love. She will be deeply missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents Benjamin Ferianc and Margaret D’Anielle Ferianc.

Survivors include her husband, Jim Spahn; daughter, Andrea (Matthew) Spahn-McGraw; granddaughters, Matilda McGraw and Sophia McGraw; cousins, Bill (Diane) Ferianc, Rick (Cheryl) Ferianc, Diane Ferianc, and Linda (Herb) Wagner; and sister-in-law, Sharon (Dave) Spahn Lalkas.

Family and friends will gather at 11 am Friday, April 26th in Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, 1605 E. 106th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46280, where the Funeral Service will begin at 12 noon.

The family has asked that donations be made to Michigan State University, in memory of Mary Spahn, allocated to the English Department in the College of Arts and Letters mailed to Michigan State University, 535 Chestnut Road, Room 300, East Lansing, MI 48824. 

Memorial or tribute gifts can also be made online at givingto.msu.edu/gift/

Envelopes will be available at the service.

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family with arrangements.

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