Mary Catherine Planck Spalding, 92, of Broomfield, Colorado (formerly of Danville, Kentucky) passed away peacefully in her daughter’s arms on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025.  Mary was born on January 2,1933 in East Saint Louis, Illinois to the late Leslie Joseph Planck and Noma Bruce Planck.   Mary was a beloved high school English and Latin teacher and school administrator in Cincinnati, Ohio and Albuquerque, New Mexico for 30 years.  Mary was valedictorian of Westwood High School in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1951.  Mary earned a BA in Classics and a BS in Education degrees at the University of Cincinnati in 1955 and was awarded the “C ring” as the outstanding female graduate.  Mary also earned a Masters of Education degree at Miami University in 1974.  After Mary retired, she would co-pilot small aircraft with her husband.  Mary and her husband travelled extensively, both domestically and internationally, with friends and family.  Mary will be remembered for her unconditional love of family and friends.  Mary taught three generations how to read, cook, sew, knit, swim, play the piano, sing, and so much more.  Mary will be remembered by her children to be the only mother of three children who could do jackknife dives at the neighborhood swimming pool.  Her unsuccessful attempts to teach her children and grandchildren how to do synchronize swimming will be remembered with much laughter and joy.  Her legacy will live forever in the stories shared with her friends and family and the many students she taught who became successful professionals and leaders in their communities.

Mary is survived by a daughter, Cathleen Spalding Burns (Jack) of Erie, CO; a son, Matthew Spalding of Cornelius, NC; four grandchildren, Bryan Burns (Megan Canon), Caitlin Spalding Burns Bump (Stephen), Carynne Spalding Jarrell (Michael), and Katherine Spalding (Brian Booe); and four great grandchildren, Kelsey Faith Bump, Jackson Robert Bump, Lucas Canon Burns, and Riley Daniel Jarrell. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Robert M. Spalding, Sr. on January 8, 2025, and a son, Robert M. Spalding, Jr., who died on February 20, 2000.

Mary was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Danville.  Per Mary’s wishes, she will be cremated and buried next to her husband and son on a date in the future when the family can gather at the Old Liberty Cemetery in Lebanon, Kentucky.  In remembrance of Mary, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Trailwinds Hospice, the Salvation Army, or a charity of your choice.