Obituary of Margaret Spencer

Margaret Spencer, 98, died Sunday, June 12, 2011 at Sundale Nursing Home in Morgantown, WV.She was born November 19, 1912 in Pepacton, NY, a daughter of the late George and Myrtle (Taylor) Loos.She grew up in Unadilla, Hamden and Delhi, NY, and was trained as a Registered Nurse at the Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. In 1934, she married Rev. Donald H. Spencer, a Presbyterian Minister.She and Donald served churches and their communities in Tannersville, NY, Ellenville, NY, New York City, Middletown, NY, Warren, PA and Middle Spring, PA. Margaret viewed her life as a partnership in service to her husbandâs ministerial role. She was an active church member and served in leadership roles at various times in church schools, womenâs associations, and choirs. In community activities, most notable was her service as a founding member of the Middletown Housing Authority in Middletown, NY, which pioneered the rebuilding of affordable housing in that community. In Middletown she also served as president of the Parent-Teachersâ Association and as a member of the Historical Society. In Warren she was a member of the Womenâs Association, on the Board of Directors of the Heart Association, and a president of the Board of the YWCA.Margaret was always close to her family and especially enjoyed her time vacationing at their family cottage in Groton, Vermont where she and Donald hosted family and friends. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband and family on multiple trips to England and on a trip to mission fields around the world in 1955. In 1973, upon Donaldâs retirement, Margaret and Donald moved to Windwood Farm, Newburg, PA where they raised sheep and Labrador retrievers, and especially enjoyed hosting their grandchildren. Later in their retirement, Margaret and Donald resided on Heritage road, Chambersburg, PA and at the Menno-Haven Retirement community and Nursing Home in Chambersburg. In each residence, Margaret was active in her church and community. Throughout her life, Margaret developed interests in art and history. During her trips to England, Margaret studied and acquired a skill in brass rubbing. She rubbed over 150 brasses in England and donated from her collection to the Art Department of Shippensburg State University. She shared her collection and expertise in exhibits in Warren, Shippensburg and Chambersburg, PA.Utilizing her nursesâ training, Margaret worked many years in the nursery of the Warren General Hospital. As the last of her generation in her family, she was a loving caregiver for many years to her sister, Mary Ogden. She also cared for her husband in his final years.Margaret is survived by two sons and their spouses: Donald L. Spencer and Carol Hamblen of Morgantown, and David and Nancy Spencer of Groton, VT. She is survived by seven grandchildren: Barbara Hawthorne of Morgantown Robert Spencer of Arlington, VA, Lynn Spencer of Morgantown, Donna Spencer of Minneapolis, MN, Jennifer Dutton of Wayland, MA, Margaret Power of Natick, MA and Anne Olivo of Groton, VT. Margaret is survived by ten great-grandchildren in West Virginia and Massachusetts. There will be no visitation. A family gathering and memorial service will be held in Morgantown at the home of Donald Spencer and Carol Hamblen at a date to be arranged. An informal memorial gathering will be held at the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church in Middle Spring, PA at a time this summer also to be arranged. Burial will be in Hamden Cemetery in Hamden, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sundale Nursing Home, 800 J. D. Anderson Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505 or Middle Spring Presbyterian Church, 135 Middle Spring Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257. Arrangements are by Hastings Funeral Home of Morgantown, WV Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com