Vona Lee Spring

SPRING, Vona Lee (McLean) passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 2, 2022. Vona’s passing came after a short stay at Sacred Heart Hospital, where she was able to laugh and reminisce with loved ones over a life well-lived. Vona carried a committed Christian faith in her heart, which she shared with others. She was the beloved matriarch of a tight-knit extended family, a dear friend to many, and will be deeply missed. She was born Vona Lee McLean on April 20, 1933 in Okanogan, Washington – to parents Frank Furman McLean and Phyllis Naomi McLean (Frye, later Nolan). During World War II, Vona and her brother “Jim” lived in the country with their maternal grandmother, Ruth Nelson (Harrison), while Naomi worked to support the war effort. Vona and Jim then rejoined Naomi in Spokane, Washington, and her mother married Raymond (“Bob”) Nolan. Naomi took Vona to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Spokane when she was young, where Vona remained an active congregant throughout her life. Vona graduated from North Central High School and met her future husband, Jack Spring, after Jack accidentally hit her on the head with a canoe paddle on Liberty Lake. Vona married Jack at St. Andrew’s in July of 1952. They enjoyed 63 joy-filled years of marriage before Jack’s passing in 2015. While Jack pursued a career in Major League Baseball, Vona did the demanding work of raising their five children. Vona then worked as a supply coordinator at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, where she met many wonderful friends she remained close with over the years. Vona was a stalwart friend, devoted grandmother, and industrious cook, around whom a large circle of family and cherished friends steadily gathered for holidays, birthdays, graduations, meals, and get-togethers. Vona gave unconditional love to her grandchildren, was consistently present for life milestones, baked delicious “Grandma Cookies” for the enjoyment of all, and hosted “hamburger nights” for her grandchildren at her home. She enjoyed spending time at the family cabin she and Jack built on Lake Pend Oreille, playing marbles and card games, and welcoming countless guests to partake in family traditions. Vona will be remembered for her devotion to family and friends, steadfast loyalty, caring heart, infectious laugh, warm hospitality, loving spirit, deep faith in Christ – and for the many fond memories she created with those she loved. Vona is preceded in death by her husband Jack Spring, parents Frank McLean and Naomi Nolan, step-father Bob Nolan, brother Jim McLean, half-brother Steve Nolan, half-sister Kathleen McLean, grandmother Ruth Nelson, and many well-loved relatives. Vona is survived by her five children, Vicki and Daryl Brown, Teresa and Jeffery Jordan, John and Janice Spring, Michael Spring, and Christopher and Amy Spring, grandchildren Mikayla and Robert Cameron, Stacie Spring, Christopher Jordan and Mara Hazeltine, Taylor Jordan, Brett and Claire Spring, Rylie Spring, Madison Spring, great grandchildren Jack Cameron, and Naomi Cameron, and many treasured family members and wonderful friends. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 2404 N. Howard St., Spokane. Reception to follow the service at the Cataldo Globe Room at Gonzaga University. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Jack Spring Memorial Scholarship at the West Valley Education Foundation.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Vona Lee Spring, please visit our Tree Store.