Obituary: Doris Baird Peck Spurway

Doris Baird Peck Spurway, 97, longtime resident of Bedford, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at her home with family lovingly at her side.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, April 26, 1916, she was the daughter of Andrew and Mabel (Cole) Baird. After graduating from secretarial school her first employment began at an insurance agency where she met and married her husband Byron D. Peck. In 1949 they moved to Bedford where they raised their two sons Byron and Peter and Doris began her extraordinary volunteer work for Town and Church that spanned 63 years.

In 1953 she began her service to the Town of Bedford as a Red Phone operator for the Bedford Fire Department. For twenty-five years she was School District Clerk, assistant Town Librarian (1956-1981), for twelve years the elected Supervisor of the Checklist she also served as a Ballot Clerk. For over twenty years Doris was a Cemetery Trustee serving also as Secretary of that Board. In 1967 she co found the Bedford Historical Society, serving as Director and until her death acted, with others, as an advisor. For the 1971 edition of the History of Bedford Doris was a contributor and editor. She was a member and past president of the Garden Club, wrote a column on the Town's history for the local newspaper, acted as a civil defense volunteer just to name a few. Doris received multiple awards including 2000 Citizen of the Year by the Library Foundation and the N.H. Municipal Association's 2009 Volunteer of the Year issued from Judd Gregg's Office and the 2006 Town Report was dedicated to her.

Beside her civic contributions, Doris was devoted to the Presbyterian Church. From 1949-2000 she acted as secretary for six pastors, was a Sunday School Administrator and teacher, four time president of the Ladies' Circle, member of the Unity Club from 1949 until it concluded in 1991, six years an Elder, a Deacon and 15 years a Church Archivist. 
One of Doris's last achievements was the successful inclusion of the Church in the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1983 her husband Byron, himself an active participant in numerous town and church affairs died and Doris later married H. Richard Spurway, a Pearl Harbor survivor, yet another significant influence in Bedford: Little League, Boy Scouts and Treasurer of the School District who passed way in 2001.

Immediate family members include her two sons Byron M. Peck and his wife Kathryn and Peter E. Peck. Other cherished family members include Hubert V. Spurway and his wife Rosemary, Richard K. Spurway and his wife Patty, Jane (Spurway) Brant and her husband Ryan, Kathy (Spurway) Satter and her husband Richard. With two families Doris was blessed with thirteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Other family members include several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her two brothers Dalziel and Andrew Baird.

Calling hours were held on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013.

As Town Historian, Doris requested that memorial contributions be made to the Bedford Historical Society for the Stevens-Buswell Community Center Project. Please make checks payable to: The Bedford Historical Society, Specify the S-B Community Center Project on the check. Please mail your contributions to the Historical Society at 24 North Amherst Rd, Bedford, NH 03110. 

For the complete obituary and sign the guestbook, visit Goodwin Funeral home.