A lifetime resident of Gloversville, NY, Mary Joanna Spicer Sergeant, daughter of Hilda Scribner Spicer and William C. Spicer Jr., passed away peacefully under hospice care in Maryland. Mary Jo is survived by her two sons, William R. (Randy) Sergeant (Nancy) residing in Arizona, and John W. Sergeant (Susan) residing in Maryland, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many Scribner and Spicer relatives. She is pre-deceased by her parents and her sister, Nancy Spicer McHugh.

Mary Jo graduated from Gloversville High School in 1946, received her Bachelor's Degree in English from Wellesley College in 1950, and her Master's Degree from SUNY Albany in 1969. In her early marriage she traveled in the Middle East, first teaching English at the American University in Beirut, Lebanon, and later raising her young sons in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Returning to Gloversville, Mary Jo began her 30+ year career at Johnstown High School as an English teacher.

In her role promoting literacy, Mary Jo also served as President of the Johnstown Teachers Association, co-chair of the William S. Wright Scholarship Committee, Assistant to Future Teachers of America, Pep Club advisor, and the chair of the English Department. Mary Jo loved teaching and especially delighted in witnessing her former students become vital members of the community.

The family invites you to the First Presbyterian Church in Johnstown, NY, at 3:00 pm on May 1, 2016, for a memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome in her name to the Gloversville Free Public Library Capital Fund. Literacy is her legacy.