CAMDEN — Jeanette (St. Clair) Spear, 89, a life-long resident of Camden, died May 15, 2017, at her home, surrounded by her devoted family. Born in Rockport on June 16, 1927, she was the daughter of Eugene Francis and Mabel (Doucette) St. Clair.

She attended local schools and was a member of the Camden High School Class of 1945. After high school, she studied business at Hisser Business School in Manchester, N.H.

Following business school, Jeanette was employed as a telephone operator at New England Telephone Company, a dental assistant for Dr. Walter Strang, a secretary at Laite Funeral Home, and a receptionist for Doug Hall at The Camden Herald.

Jeanette raised four sons and was a proud grandmother to seven grandchildren. Often described as a "spitfire," she will be remembered for her witty comments, her knitting, canned goods, the cookie jar full of Tootsie Pops, and other delicious cooking.

Jeanette, an avid animal lover, was one of the founders of the Camden-Rockport Animal Rescue League (now P.A.W.S.), where she also served as a member and volunteer. Devoting most of her life to animal rescue, Jeanette took in numerous animals and filled their lives with love. In addition to her own, she always made sure that the neighborhood pets, birds and other wild animals had enough to eat. For a number of years, she was delighted to discover on Christmas morning, a large supply of bird food on her doorstep that had been anonymously delivered during the night.

She was predeceased by her first husband, Donald E. Cates in 2001; her second husband, Willis J. Spear on Jan. 1, 2005; and her eldest son, Stephen E. Cates in 1998. Jeanette is survived by her three sons, Martin D. Cates and his wife, Edna, Daniel R. Cates and his wife, Kim, and Matthew R. Cates and his wife, Tammie, all of Camden; seven grandchildren, Jenny, Lindsey, Casey, Aimee, Chelsea, Rylan and Morgan; her brother, Eugene St. Clair; several sisters-in-law, Gail Spear, Louise Reynolds of Waldoboro, and Eva Cushman of Port Clyde; and her former daughter-in-law, Mary Lebreve, with whom she stayed in touch.

Calling hours will be held Sunday, May 21, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St. in Camden. A graveside service will be held Monday, May 22, at 11 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery.

If desired, memorial gifts may be made to P.A.W.S., P.O. Box 707, Rockport, ME 04856 or to the Knox County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.