Beatrice Mara Spanner of Raleigh, NC passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at the age of 16 months. Born with a serious and complex heart defect, she fought hard through many surgeries and procedures. She was easygoing and sweet, but at times quite feisty, opinionated, and loud, all of which her parents adored. Bea did things on her own timeline, right to the very end. She was so very brave and—somehow—good-natured through all that she endured.
Bea is survived by her loving parents, Brian and Jordan Spanner; her big brother and partner in crime, Mac; her grandparents Jack and Melanie McCoy of Grifton, NC and Jack and Kathy Spanner of Fernandina Beach, FL; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her family is so proud of her, and they will miss her deeply for the rest of their days.
The family would like to thank the entire Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Duke University Hospital for the care and compassion they showed Queen Bea, her parents, and her brother these past five months. They made a long and difficult road bearable.
All are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Service at Vision Church RDU, 5808 Departure Drive, Raleigh, NC on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 10:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, meals, or gifts, please consider donating blood to the American Red Cross or making a donation in Beatrice’s honor to any of the following organizations:
Duke Children’s Hospital, https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dch
North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance, https://www.ncdsalliance.org/ways-to-give/
Jack’s Basket, https://jacksbasket.org/give-today/
