Mary Kay Spink, 80, a retired CIA administrative officer, died on Feb. 3, 2017 in Arlington. She was a resident of Arlington for nearly 60 years.
Mary Kay was born in South Bend, Ind. to Robert and Marjorie (Blakeman) Spink on Feb. 29, 1936. She was raised in St. Joseph, Mich., and graduated from Purdue University in 1958. Mary Kay was recruited by the CIA while still in college, and moved to Washington D.C., after graduation. She served overseas in Khartoum (Sudan), Paris, London, and Vienna, as well as stateside in D.C. Mary Kay worked for the United States government for 28 years.
In retirement, she was active in the Georgetown Presbyterian Church. A member for nearly 50 years, she served as a deacon, an elder, and in many other capacities. She loved to help others, and especially enjoyed volunteering through her church as a sponsor for refugee families, taking them under her wing on their path to citizenship.
She volunteered for the Washington National Opera and the Arlington Voter Registration Office, giving countless hours of her time over 20 years. A life-long learner, she enjoyed taking courses through the Arlington Learning in Retirement Institute. Mary Kay enjoyed traveling with her friends, and especially enjoyed singing.
A one-time member of church choir, she also performed with a number of singing groups, including the Arlington Senior Singers Chorale. Mary Kay was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Barbara (Daniel) Yoder, of Mark Center, Ohio. She is survived by her nephews, Jerald (Lois) Yoder of Hicksville, Ohio, Richard (Karen) Yoder, and Philip (Linda) Yoder, all of Mark Center, Ohio, as well as 18 great-nieces and nephews, and 31 great-great nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for family and friends to honor Mary Kay’s life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 11, at Georgetown Presbyterian Church at 1 p.m. Interment will be in South Bend, Ind., in a private ceremony. Memorial contributions may be made to Georgetown Presbyterian Church.