Linda C. Speirs

Linda C. Speirs died on Friday, July 10, 2026, while sleeping peacefully at home, following a four-year battle with cancer…but she wanted to be remembered for her life. 73 years ago, in a world gripped by escalating Cold War tensions, Linda O’Neill was born on a calm, moderately chilly day in January 1953, to Marjorie, a nurse, and Alfred, a science teacher. The middle sibling between rascal brothers, Robert and Colin, they lived most of their childhood in Scotia, New York, in a modest house above the swelling banks of the Mohawk River, where Linda spent many hours boating and fishing. She dreamed of horses, played with her temperamental German Shepherd, Rinny, stubbornly refused to eat rhubarb, and developed lifelong connections, especially among Girl Scout Troop #29. As a sensitive, imaginative, but strong-willed child, she struggled with bullying teachers, her father’s temper, and feeling different. At a tender time, the movie The Three Lives of Thomasina had a profound effect on her. The story honored her bruised spirit and kindled a passion for helping other wounded souls and suffering animals that she carried into adulthood, along with her parents’ desire to serve God and delight in simple things, like cool rocks and old books. Linda earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Psychology from Houghton College, where she nursed her first chipmunk back to health and met outdoors-loving H. Jeffery Speirs, who would become her beloved friend and husband. Married for nearly 52 years, they walked together through many heavy life blows and beautiful moments. While serving for five years with Campus Crusade for Christ in San Bernardino, California, they acquired dear friends, their first Great Dane, Grits, and had their two children, Jeremy and Rachel. Sensing it was time for a change and wanting to be closer to family, they packed up their kids and horse-sized dog and drove cross-country to New Jersey, where they settled in Haddon Heights, then Mount Laurel, and finally Mount Holly, learning skills for fixing up old houses along the way. Linda homeschooled her children from 1st-10th grade, started a small business crafting wooden decorations, then another business making soap, which filled the house with smells of lavender and spice. She dove into numerous homesteading projects, including a large garden, and often had a stock pot of something going on the stove, from cheese soup, to canning jars, to refining tallow. She became a state-licensed wildlife rehabilitator—one of the highest joys of her life. She nursed myriad orphaned and injured animals back to health for release: squirrels (her favorite), birds, rabbits, opossums, raccoons, deer, and more. A few of the ducks, geese, and cats even became permanent residents of the Speirs’ menagerie. The Speirs’ home has also been a welcoming haven for many humans: youth and church groups, family gatherings, and those struggling. Linda and Jeff sponsored refugee families fleeing difficult situations in Vietnam and Russia, and have given others a temporary place to find their footing. No matter the challenge, Linda always tried to make sure everyone felt comfortable and cared for. In the confusion of her last days (and discomfort with being the one who needed help), she continued to demonstrate this, trying to share her hospital food with family because that’s what she had to offer. Linda had a deep, abiding sense of justice and trust that God would work in difficult situations, often setting aside her own desires and fears to act in ways that felt true to her principles and her understanding of God. This included heated issues like pro-life advocacy in her middle years, where she became practiced in peaceful protesting, to a more recent No Kings march, and countless small acts of kindness, like giving folks rides and bringing them groceries. She believed God loves everyone and should be treated that way, and it pained her when she wasn’t able to help someone. When she witnessed a lack of compassion, especially from powerful people or fellow Christians, she was horrified. (Although she infamously lost compassion for a groundhog who climbed the garden fence and ate the entire spring planting —that destroyer was sniped from an upstairs window with a single shot.) She’s praised as a beautiful soul, a steady, bright light, happy, generous, warm, kind, and supportive. But she also experienced trauma, betrayal, and despair—for years feeling like she might be the one exception to God’s love. She limped out of that Valley of the Shadow of Death equipped with a stronger sense of empathy for what others were going through. In her middle and later years, she worked as an administrative assistant, taking particular delight in building spreadsheets, before leaving that job to care for her aging parents. She volunteered with the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, helping abandoned dogs find loving homes (sometimes her own), and she fulfilled a long-held fantasy of having two of those goofy, horse-sized dogs at once. After extensive upheaval, Linda found her own footing with the help of her spiritual family at First Presbyterian Church of Mount Holly, where serving as a Deacon brought her deep joy. She also gave her energy to the Mount Holly Environmental Committee and the Mount Holly Farmers Market. In a world again gripped by escalating tensions, she found purpose in connecting with people and addressing problems in a practical, hands-on way. Rarely did a season pass without a dog or cat by Linda’s side. She excelled at furniture restoration, potato salad, overestimating her capacity to finish projects, and making holidays magical. She loved cheerful zinnias, perfectly crisp toast, garden-fresh tomatoes, local blueberry ice cream from Vincent’s, the weirdness of the world, camping, and her family. She even found ways to enjoy rhubarb. She blew through audiobooks, especially thrillers and true stories. A favorite morning might be spent horseback riding at Pat’s or sitting by her hydrangeas with a hot cup of coffee. She spent many evenings walking the dogs with Jeff, watching a show with the family, or losing herself in a project. In her final months, Linda once again packed up family and giant dogs for a cross-country trip, this time in the comfort of an RV. As the cancer accelerated, not all went as planned, but she was able to visit family, share in the majesty of nature, observe wildlife up close, and collect a few cool rocks. Linda has gone on to be with Jesus and, we hope, her many animal companions that went before her, especially the annoying ones, whom she loved the most. She is survived by her husband Jeff, children Jeremy Speirs and Rachel Walton (Terry), grandson Asher Walton, and brother Colin O’Neill (Lindy). She is also survived by her silly, spoiled Great Danes, Strider and Willow, and by family and friends too numerous to name, but no less loved. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert O’Neill. Linda will be remembered and celebrated on Friday, July 31st, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church, 125 Garden Street, Mount Holly, New Jersey 08060. Visitation with the family will be held from 2:30 to 3:30 pm, followed by the service at 3:30 pm. A reception will follow directly in Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Linda’s memory may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Holly Deacons Fund, the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, or Options for Her. If Linda’s passing has dimmed the light in our world, it’s up to us to take action to brighten it again —it’s what she would have done.

Linda C. Speirs

January 14, 1953 - July 10, 2026