FREEPORT — Barbara Ann Gordon Spiegel, 77, of Vero Beach, Fla., died of respiratory failure on May 26 in Portland, Oreg.
She was the daughter of Bernard and Sara "Peggy" Gordon of Swampscott, Mass.
She enjoyed writing poetry, sailing Casco Bay, playing bridge, picking wild blueberries, listening to jazz and beachcombing. She had a spirit of adventure, whimsical sense of humor and a kind and generous nature.
Speigel graduated from Swampscott High School in 1952 and Skidmore College in 1955. She worked in advertising in New York City before starting her family and writing career.
She married Lawrence Spiegel in 1957 and raised daughters Lisa, Patti and Marci. They were divorced in 1975.
She was a member of the American Association of University Women, National Pen Women representative to the Indian River County Cultural Council, Vero Beach Art Club, Vero Beach Museum of Art, Vero Beach Theatre Guild, Indian River County Historical Society, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, McKee Botanical Gardens, Indian River Skidmore Club, Temples Beth Shalom and B’nai Emet, the National Geographic Society, Chebeague Island Council and the Harraseeket Yacht Club.
Speigel is survived by daughters Lisa Spiegel Morasch and her husband, Alan, of Vancouver, Wash., Patricia Spiegel Givens, of Redmond, Oreg. and Marsea Spiegel, of Freeport; brother, Clifford Gordon, of Plainfield, Ind.; grandchildren Sarah Baker, Adrian Baker, Jonathan Morasch, Noah Morasch, Benjamin Morasch, Matthew Givens; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Contributions may be made in Spiegel’s memory to the Skidmore College Alumni Association, class of 1955, 815 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866.
Memorial services were held in Vancouver, Wash. and Bend, Oreg.. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, July 28 in South Freeport.