Ivy Irvane Spracklin

Ivy Irvane Spracklin, cherished friend, beloved mother, and adoring grandmother and great-grandmother, passed into eternity on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the age of 96. Her adventurous life was brought to a close by a weakening heart. Darrell and Ivy Templeton raised their only daughter in the quaint village of Quakers Hill, Connecticut. Irvane studied biology at Connecticut College in nearby New London and, though she never worked professionally in the field, she remained enamoured by nature all her life. After graduating, Irvane married Jack Spracklin, a cadet at the neighbouring Coast Guard Academy. Irvane and Jack were married for 25 years, creating many wonderful memories and raising four sons: Darrell, Richard, Robert, and John. A special time for the whole family were the years spent on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands. Irvane enjoyed exploring the reefs of the atoll, focused on her blossoming interest in painting, and also helped establish a library in the neighbouring island of Ebeye. After Jack and Irvane divorced, Irvane supported herself and her family through a career at the Welfare Board, working as a fraud investigator. Later on, Irvane married Charles Shields, with whom she shared many interests, including birding and international travel. Beyond family and friends, Irvane’s great passions were painting and gardening. Her home of more than 60 years—on the ancestral lands of the great John Woolman in Mount Holly, New Jersey—was a nature lover’s dream: filled with flowers, vegetables, trees, birds, squirrels, and, on occasion, larger visitors such as turkeys, raccoons, and deer. Her gardens were also, at times, a refuge for her plein air painting circle, a group of friends who shared laughter, inspiration, and created many beautiful works of art. I vividly recall walking from artist to artist on those days—these great souls earnestly asked for this barely-a-teenager’s opinion of their work and listened intently to all I had to say, fully welcoming me into their collaborative, joy-filled experience. Many a Sunday morning was spent at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Irvane being an earnest follower of true Christian values: care for the poor and marginalised, and compassion for all humankind. These values were not only on her lips but guided her actions throughout her remarkable life. May the Lord of Love and Compassion warm our hearts with many glad and inspirational memories of this great woman. Bob and Rachel Spracklin are hosting a Celebration of Life for Irvane at their home on the 17th of May from 2 to 6pm.

Ivy Irvane Spracklin

November 21, 1928 - April 25, 2025