Mary Elizabeth Spath

Mary Elizabeth Richards Spath, 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on August 14, 2025.

Known as Boots, she was the wife of the late Frank W. Spath III. They celebrated forty years of marriage together.

Born August 28, 1931, in Owings Mills, Maryland, Boots was the daughter of the late Mary Elizabeth Chilcoat and William Kantner Richards, who fondly gave her the nickname of Boots. As an only child, her cousins were her sisters and brothers.

A Marylander, Boots grew up in the small community of Glyndon. She graduated from Franklin Senior High School before earning her degree in Education from Radford University. During her career, she taught various students from elementary through college.

Life did not slow down for Boots after retiring from teaching. Through her volunteer work, she valued the organizations as well as the special friendships she made.

Boots’ greatest pride and joy was being a wife, mother, granmom, and great-grandmother. Art was a passion of hers, and she passed it on to her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her most fond memories involved traveling, holidays and summers spent with family and friends at the shore.

In addition to her late husband, she is survived by two daughters, Sally Spath Boughman (Michael) and Robin R. Kratz (Robert); her four grandchildren, Courtney Crowley (Jim), Christopher Boughman (Molly), Andrew Kratz (Lauren), and Taylor Kratz (Olivia); and her five great-grandchildren, James, Emily, Reese, Oskar, and Elliott.

Services and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice in her name.

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 610-696-1181