11/12/2025
Marlita Ruth Springett
Marlita Ruth Springett, who always thought of others and gave to others before herself, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2025, at the age of 92 in Vestal, NY.
Marlita liked to say she was just a farm girl from Michigan. Yet she traveled the world throughout her lifetime—starting as a teenager when she and her younger sister Diana jumped in the family Jeep and drove to Mexico by themselves. History does not reveal whether this trip was for adventure or for love (or most likely both).
After earning her RN nursing degree from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Marlita married Jung-Chao and returned to his native Taiwan with their first child already on the way. A few years after their second child was born in Taiwan, they returned to the U.S. in the ’60s for Jung-Chao’s new university position in Dallas.
They had a third child, and as Jung-Chao pursued his academic career, they lived in Montreal, Chevy Chase, Maryland, and finally settled in the Binghamton, New York area. After divorcing, Marlita raised her three children as a single mother, always encouraging them to pursue their dreams regardless of circumstances.
After her children had grown, she relocated again to the Rochester area for a number of years to help care for her grandchildren. She inspired her children and grandchildren to love making music, writing and being creative.
She was humble about her work as a nurse, yet she had a remarkably varied career. She assisted in hospital surgeries and was a public-health nurse with a special interest in nutrition. She helped train children with special needs, cared for prominent community members as a private-duty nurse, and treated people from all walks of life as a nurse for the county jail. She also quietly helped released inmates as they returned to their lives. Later, she became a beloved nanny to two young girls, staying in touch long after the girls had grown into adults.
Marlita was the gentlest of souls who devoted herself to family, friends, pets, and the gardens she nurtured wherever she lived. She adopted cats and dogs throughout her life and had great compassion for all animals, great and small.
She wrote poetry and self-published several books of her poems. She gave them away to family and friends and often composed poems for people’s birthdays and other special occasions.
She also played the violin, piano and loved to sing. As a loyal member of the Binghamton Downtown Singers for many years, she traveled to France to share the gift of music. Their annual performance of “The Messiah” brought joy to audiences, but even more joy to her.
She lifted everybody's spirits, encouraging and praising her children, grandchildren and friends. She didn't speak bitterly or pass judgment, instead looking for the goodness and beauty around her.
For a time she took flying lessons. After caring for others all her life and lifting our hearts with her music and kindness, she is flying freely at last.
Marlita is survived by family and those who loved her as family, including children James (and Valentina), Jean (and Tom), and Mark (and Lara); grandchildren Jared, Marissa, Sammy, and Alex; and many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is predeceased by her mother Arta, father Wayne, sisters Diana and Robin, and former husband Jung-Chao.
Loving thanks for the care and compassion of the Willow Point West Wing staff and residents, who became like a second family in the final year of her life and ensured that Marlita’s final wishes were fulfilled. In her last act of giving, Marlita chose to donate her body to medical research.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support her beloved elephants and to the Binghamton Downtown Singers.
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