Evelyn Spamer Munson

Annapolis, Md. — Evelyn S. Munson passed away peacefully at her home in Annapolis, on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at the age of 96. Evelyn was born in Bronx, N.Y., on Oct. 22, 1921, to George and Charlotte (Conroy) Spamer. She grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., with a view of the Statue of Liberty from her bedroom window. A noted swimmer, she was the New York City 100 meter breaststroke champion in 1939 and trained for the 1940 Olympics. She earned her Bachelors degree in Physical Education from the University of Michigan.

Evelyn started her teaching career in the Bethpage, N.Y. school system. In 1943 she met her husband, Lt. William H. Munson, a Naval Aviator, and they were married on July 12, 1944. Evelyn and he moved their growing family all over the United States and Canada; even living in Hawaii before it was a state. The children numbered six – Bill, Bob, Steve, Greg, Penny and Evie Sue.

After his retirement from the Navy in 1961, Captain and Evelyn Munson settled in East Greenwich, R.I., where Evelyn began a 23-year career teaching grades 1-6. Evelyn was noted for handling large class sizes, one year of 50 students, and in 23 years never taking a single sick day. After teaching various grades, she settled on the first grade so she could teach reading from the beginning. She would remark about three quarters of the way through each school year “They all can read.” Evelyn was an avid follower of politics and was elected to represent Rhode Island at the Republican National Convention in 1980 casting her vote for Ronald Reagan.

Upon her retirement in 1982, she and her husband Bill moved to Eastman in Grantham, N.H. She volunteered for many years at the Dunbar Free Library. She and Bill sang with the Eastmanaires vocal group, joined the bridge club and volunteered for numerous groups in Eastman. Evelyn lived in Eastman until 2002. Even after Evelyn moved to Annapolis, to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Penny and Paul Schnell, she continued to return to Eastman for a few weeks each summer. She never failed to meet with her good friend, Dunbar librarian Joey Holmes. In Maryland she volunteered to teach reading to inner city elementary school children. She traveled widely with friends and family, including a tour of the 10 Lost Cities of the World.

Evelyn is survived by her children (and their spouses): Robert (Terri) Munson, Stephen (Dale) Munson and Gregory (Arlene) Munson and daughters Penny (Paul) Schnell and Evie Sue (Bill) Humphries; 13 grandchildren, Brad, Ty, Glen, Taryn, Lauren, James, Alicia, Jillian, Andrea, Catherine, Ben, Brian and Anna; 18 great-grandchildren, Andrew, Anna, PK, Dash, Xander, Leah, Taylor, Gabriella, Mia, Eva, Jack, Calvin, Heather, Blaire, Lucy, Lidia, William, and James; two nephews, Jay (Debra) Spamer, Doug (Sarah) Spamer; and a great-niece, Vivienne.

Evelyn was predeceased by her parents; husband, Captain William H. Munson; son, William H. Munson; brother, Robert Spamer; and nephew, Robert Spamer, Jr.

A funeral service will be held at Arlington Cemetery at a date yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the the Dunbar Free Library, 401 NH-10, Grantham, NH 03753.