Suzan N. Spalvins, 78, well-known local fabric artist and longtime resident of historic Boalsburg, Penn., passed away at Juniper Village at Brookline, State College, Penn. on June 26. She had been in failing health for nearly three years.
Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and cherished friend, she was born Feb. 8, 1940, in San Francisco, Cal., the daughter and only child of the late John L. and Edythe Briggs. The Briggs family soon relocated to the East Coast and Suzan spent her childhood in coastal Maine, attending schools in the Head Tide-Damariscotta area and graduating from Lincoln Academy, Newcastle, with the Class of 1957.
Opting to continue her education in Texas, she spent her freshman year at Rice University in Houston, then transferred to Texas College of Arts and Industries in Kingsville (now Texas A&M-Kingsville,) where she received her bachelor’s degree in 1962. She then accepted a teaching assistantship at Penn State, where, while raising a young family, she earned her master’s degree in history.
On Christmas Eve, 1963, in State College, she married her soul mate, Janis Spalvins, and the couple ultimately set up housekeeping in downtown Boalsburg. There, they went about restoring two historic buildings: the 1855 brick house on East Main Street that became their home and the home’s weather-beaten detached “garage,” which, on closer inspection, proved to be Boalsburg’s original tavern. Constructed in 1804 by David Boal with sleeping loft and cooking fireplace, the modest building served as a way station for weary travelers before the village existed. For many years, Suzan worked in and sold her wares from the small stone structure, which she aptly named The 1804 Shop.
Her custom-made teddy bears, other stuffed animals and cloth dolls drew a wide following at the many arts festivals she frequented in Pennsylvania, nowhere more so than at Boalsburg’s own Peoples’ Choice Festival where she was a founding member. In addition to her fabric art, she schooled herself in the fine craft of restoring antique dolls, a specialty she and Janis intended to pursue as a business following his retirement. When Janis tragically died from an aneurism in 1995 at the age of 57, that dream died with him and a light went out of Suzan’s life.
Over many decades, the Spalvins’ home was known as a welcoming haven for anybody who needed a helping hand. It was a place where troubled teens could find shelter and wise counsel, where single mothers desperate for help received it, where struggling families knew they could go for a bag of used clothing or a basketful of fruits, vegetables and flowers from Suzan’s bountiful garden. No one truly in need ever was turned away. For many years, Suzan and Janis were coordinators of the Liberal Religious Youth group (LRY) of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County.
Suzan is survived by son, John Lester Spalvins of Littleton, Col.; daughters, Scotti Ian (Ron) Mullen of State College, Penn., Tracy Janine Spalvins of State College, Penn., and Anda Jean (Martin) Bittner of Camp Hill, Penn.; grandchildren, Anda Jon (Jon) Nichols of Williamsport, Penn., Jaclyn Janine (Joe) Bergstrom, John Charles (Diana) Mullen, Attily Elisabeth Spalvins, Madelyn Janine Spalvins, and Cassaundra Raquel Bryant; great-grandchildren, Ava Janine Nichols, Jack Andrew Nichols, Darling Elizabeth Bergstrom, Duke Thomas Bergstrom, Kayleigh Mullen Bergstrom, Joseph Janis Bergstrom, Kaley Maria Mullen, Kaden Ronald Mullen, Aiden Christian Bryant and Rafael John Spalvins-Barrios; and a lifetime of beloved felines.
A visitation was held June 30 at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Church St., Boalsburg. The funeral service followed with the Rev. Dr. Monica Ouellette officiating. Burial was in Boalsburg Cemetery, after which friends gathered in the church for refreshments and social time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Suzan’s memory may be made to Pets Come First, 2451 General Potter Highway, Centre Hall, PA 16823; or the Boalsburg Heritage Museum, 304 E. Main St., Boalsburg, PA 16827.
Online condolences may be left at heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the care of the Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Services, State College.
