Mary Speth, born on July 31, 1957, in Moline, Illinois, passed away on June 19, 2025, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, following heart complications. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, she leaves behind a legacy filled with love, creativity, and a commitment to serving others.

Mary graduated from Alleman High School in 1975 and married her beloved husband, Richard (Dick) Speth, on September 10, 1977, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Moline. Their 47-year marriage exemplified a deep and abiding bond. Recently, they embraced a new chapter in their lives by retiring to Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

A talented floral designer, Mary nurtured a lifelong passion for gardening and had a profound appreciation for the beauty of nature. Her nurturing spirit was evident in her role as a para-educator at Jackson Elementary School in Davenport, Iowa, and Bangor, Wisconsin, where she advocated for special needs children, inspiring them to achieve their utmost potential. She also found great joy in being a caregiver and aunt to her nephew, Maverick Allen. One of her fondest memories was a summer spent milking cows in Sparta, Wisconsin, a task she recalled with pride and humor, cherishing the connection to the “gentle giants.”

Mary was an enthusiastic Cub Scout leader and a skilled quilter and embroiderer, creating treasured gifts for her family. She had a deep passion for politics and history, advocating for the preservation of the Constitution as originally intended by our Forefathers.

She was preceded in death by her infant brothers, James and John, as well as her parents, Louis Birmingham and Rita (Bridges) Birmingham. Mary is survived by her devoted husband, Richard; her children, Alexander (Missi) Speth, John (Kayleigh) Speth, and Katianne (Chase) Odeen; and her grandchildren, Malcolm, Carlin, Damian, Bronson, Torin, Callan, Vincent, and Henry. She also leaves behind her siblings, Michael (Sheila) Birmingham, Ann (Steve) Allen, and her beloved nephews, to whom she was a loving aunt.

Mary's indomitable spirit, creativity, and commitment to her family and community will be profoundly missed. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a local special needs education program in her honor.

A graveside inurnment will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery, East Moline, IL, on July 31, 2026, at 9:30 am. Following the inurnment, a brief service will be held at St. Mark Church, 2363 West 3rd Street, Davenport. Sandwiches and refreshments will be served afterward in Luther Hall, where family and friends are invited to share memories until 4:30 p.m. Those who wish to continue celebrating Mary’s life are welcome to join the family at West Lake Park, Park Terrace (Site 35, Gate #5), 14910 110th Avenue, Davenport. Guests are welcome to bring items to cook over the campfire if they would like.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences online at www.wendtfuneralhome.com.