Mary Jessica Speer

Mary Jessica Mason Speer, 84, of Charleston, SC, passed away on Monday, November 14, 2022. 
 
Born December 31, 1937 in Ayr, Scotland, she was the oldest daughter of the late Barbara McPeake Mason and Robert Mason. 
 
Mary was a dedicated Catholic and member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. On Saturdays, She would stand and pray for those who were contemplating abortion. She brought Eucharist to the elderly in the Nursing homes around the Charleston area, and in the summers, she would bring lunch to a quadriplegic that was homebound. She strived to always help the poor and those in need. Her hobbies were knitting, crocheting, and travel. She loved being around dogs. She enjoyed Ice cream, Chocolate and sunny days at the beach. She was an avid gardener - gardenias were her favorite flower. 
She traveled whenever she could starting at age 17 when she left her homeland, Scotland, for France. She married a Navy man and moved to America, living in Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, the Philippines, and lastly Charleston, South Carolina which she loved more than all the others. She took vacations to Hawaii, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida but her heart was always with the low country, Charleston.

Besides her parents, Mary is preceded in death by her sister, Josephine Mason Johnston and Andrew's wife, Linda Speer.  

Mary is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Kathleen Mason of Edinburgh, Scotland; 3 daughters: Veronica Montgomery (John), Donna Mann (David) and Darla Seidel (Harlen); 4 sons: Stephen and Laurie Speer, Andrew Speer, Scott Speer and Troy Speer; 15 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 2, 2022 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home West Ashley. 
 
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 5 St. Teresa Dr., Charleston, SC 29407.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Food for the Poor - foodforthepoor.org. 
 
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com. 
 
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 2501 Bees Ferry Rd, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.