Funeral remembers former Washington governor, wife who died within days of each other

Former Washington State Gov. John D. Spellman and his wife, former Washington State first Lady Lois Spellman died within days of one another.

John Spellman died Jan. 16 at 91 years old. Lois died Jan 25. She was also 91.

They will be remembered in a joint funeral and celebration of life on Monday.

John and Lois were married for 63 years. They had six children together and six grandchildren.

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Current Washington State Governor Jay Inslee shared online that he was saddened to hear of the death of Lois.

"Our state is better for the life and work of this gracious, loving and kind woman," Inslee wrote.

The meeting of Lois and John Spellman was described by Legacy Washington chief historian and Spellman biographer John Hughes in his book about the former governor:

"In Spanish class at Seattle College, John sat next to Lois Murphy, who was as attractive as she was brainy. Her raven-black hair complemented her Irish complexion. She was the school's only female labor-relations major ...  Lois remembers the first time she saw John Spellman. He was coming down a staircase. Their eyes met. Another co-ed saw the look on her face and declared, 'That's the man you're going to marry.'" Lois laughed."

The two married in February of 1954 in Seattle.

“The bride was radiant in Chantilly Lace over taffeta, the groom dark-haired, handsome and boutonnièred,” Hughes wrote.

John Spellman was Washington's governor from 1981 to 1985. He was also the first King County executive from 1969 to 1981.

Spellman was regarded as a man of integrity.

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In 1984, he ran for a second term, but voters had anxiety about the weak economy and what could be done. He was not re-elected.

Spellman was born in Seattle in the mid-1920s, but grew up on the Eastside and attended Seattle Preparatory Academy.

He also served in the Navy during World War II and earned his undergraduate degree at Seattle University, then went on to earn a law degree at Georgetown University.

Lois Spellman is remembered for lobbying the U.S. secretary of agriculture for surplus commodities and working with the Restaurant Association to collect leftovers to distribute to food banks.

From Hughes' book: "She is very good at reading people," says Steve Excell, a longtime Spellman friend and former chief of staff. "She could spot trouble. John was always inclined to give every dog a second chance to bite. It's the Jesuit in him. Lois was more wary. She has always been his biggest fan, sometimes protective but knowing deep down that that's not really realistic. They're both resilient people. He values her advice. It's a love story."

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