Dr. Pauline G. “Doc” Spear, 91, died at her niece’s home in Chester, NH on February 2, 2006 from pulmonary fibrosis. She was born in Derry, NH the daughter of the late Dr. Walter and Lena Spear. Dr. Spear graduated from Pinkerton Academy in Derry in 1932, the University of NH in 1936 and Boston University, Class of 1940. After completing a two year residency at St. Mary’s Hospital in Brooklyn, NY and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lancaster, PA, Dr. Spear began her general practice in Claremont, NH in 1943. Dr. Spear was the first female doctor on staff at Claremont General Hospital and had served as Chief of Staff and Head of Pediatrics for many years. She retired from her general practice in 1983 and moved to Barefoot Bay, FL until October of 2005. Dr. Spear was a very popular and dedicated doctor and cared very much for each and every one of her patients. She was especially dedicated to Obstetrics. Many of her former patients always remembered her with cards and letters, which she loved to receive. Dr. Spear was a member of the Catholic Daughters of Claremont and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Claremont. Dr. Spear was a member of the St. Anne’s Society of Claremont, the Historical Society of Claremont, and was “Woman of the Year” for the Business and Professional Women’s Club in 1965.
Dr. Spear is survived by her sister Ruth Wells of Barefoot Bay, FL, her niece, Polly Tewksbury of Chester, with whom she resided, her nephew, John Wells of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, four great nephews, Steve Tewksbury of Auburn, NH, Shawn Tewksbury of Milford, NH, Gabriel Wells of Brooklyn, NY, Jonathan Wells of Boston, MA, one great niece, Stacy Tewksbury of Pittsfield, NH, four great great nephews and three great great nieces.
Calling hours were held on Sunday, February 5, 2006 from 1 – 4pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry, NH. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Monday at 10:00am at St. Peters Church, 567 Manchester Rd., Auburn. The burial will take place in the Spring in Forest Hill Cemetery, E. Derry.