Obituary

Marian L. Spencer

Marian Spencer passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, January 23, 2021 at the board and care home that she shared with her husband Leland (Lee). Marian was born on February 18, 1923 in Los Angeles, California, and was less than a month away from her 98^th birthday. Lee always said of Marian that she was “born happy and never recovered”. Those who knew and loved her understand how true those words are!

Marian’s parents, Warren and Ivy Rogers, were also native Californians, born in Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo respectively. Marian was the second of their four daughters. Ellen, Marian, Lois, and Frances all grew up in their family home in Los Angeles and attended Manual Arts High School. It was there, in her junior year, that she met Lee in a music appreciation class. Two years later, August 15, 1942, they were married at Plymouth Congregational Church where she had attended for years.

Their tiny first home was in south Los Angeles and their son, Roger, was born on July 13, 1943. This was during World War II and Lee was in training to be a pilot in the US Army Air Corps. Lee left for Europe to be a B-24 bomber pilot and their second son, Bruce, was born on October 2, 1944, while Lee was flying bombing missions over occupied Europe. He returned home on March 30, 1945, to be reunited with Marian and Roger, and meet Bruce for the first time. Soon their little family moved into a small home not too far from her parents until 1950.

On February 21^st, 1950, Marian was in the hospital giving birth to Russell, while Lee and the boys moved into the new family home in Monterey Park. This was to be the only home the family would know for the next 70 years, and Marian set about to be the best mom she could be. She loved all children, but especially hers. She loved going airplane camping with Lee or family camping with her boys, fishing, hiking, to the beach, and everywhere in between. Hers was a life of service, first and foremost to her family, but she always found ways to serve others as well.

When her boys grew up, married, and moved away from home, Marian decided to go to college and earned her degree/teaching credential so that she could teach school. She spent the next eleven years as a kindergarten teacher and loved her new kids. They loved her as well, and told her what a great teacher she was whenever she saw them in later years. Throughout her life she was happiest when she was around children.

In her mid-thirties, Marian was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by her next-door neighbors. In spite of Lee’s disapproval, she became active in the church, but put off baptism to keep peace in the family. She served in numerous church callings as a non-member, all of which almost always involved children and music.

It was almost twenty years later, after the kids were gone, that she finally worked up the nerve to ask Lee for his permission to be baptized. To her shock, he said yes, and she entered into the covenant of baptism on January 5, 1974. It was one of the happiest days of her life and brought her great peace. She continued her church service in a number of capacities, but it wasn’t until 1996 that she finally asked Lee for permission to go to the temple. Once again, he surprised her! Just two days before her 73^rd birthday she went to the Los Angeles LDS Temple for the first time. Marian loved going to the temple, and in the next ten years she participated in one thousand temple ordinances to make up for lost time! The only thing that slowed her down was the dementia that started affecting her in her mid-eighties.

By the time that Marian turned ninety she was no longer able to drive. Lee cared for her as best he could, but over time it became overwhelming for him and a change was necessary. Marian spent the last years of her life in care facilities, always with a smile on her face. Lee finally joined her in September 2020, and they spent the last five months of her life together, holding hands. He misses her dearly, as we all do.

Marian is now free of her worn-out body and reunited with her parents, sisters and Rusty, and is still smiling, but from on high.

Graveside Service

Date & Time: February 26, 2021 (11:00 AM)
Venue: El Toro Memorial Park
Location: 25751 Trabuco Road Lake Forest, CA 92630 - (Get Directions)
Phone Number: (949) 951-9102

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14 responses to Marian Lorraine Spencer

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Amy Spencer says:

February 22, 2021

My favorite memory of Great Grandma Spencer is that she was always happy! -Elder Klayton Spencer

My favorite memory of great grandma is when we went to see her at her assisted living home, and she kept reading my shirt over and over again. Also, I remember eating next to her at her anniversary. -Caden Spencer

Great Grandma always tried to make us laugh whenever she saw us.
-Karson Spencer

My favorite memory of great grandma is when we went to go pick her lemons on the lemon tree. -Blake Spencer

My favorite memory of Great grandma is when I went to see her when she broke her hip, she couldn’t talk and was in and out of sleep. I went to hold her hand and when I tried to take it away, she grabbed it and wouldn’t let go. This made me feel happy and I know that she loves me. -Keegan Spencer

I remember when we were walking grandma to her little old lady center and just seeing her smile made me happy when we walked in. She kept asking what Caden’s shirt said. I was only about 8 or 9 at the time but the best memories are with her. I know she is in a better place and I know she will always be watching over me and the rest of us.
-Ashley Spencer
Grandma always had a smile when we went on the family campouts.
-Kolby Spencer

Grandma Spencer was like an angel here on earth. When I think of Grandma I think of service and being Christ-like. She was such a dedicated wife and mother, and I am so grateful for the example that she set for all of us. She loved everyone with the pure love of Christ, especially her family. She was always happy, and her smile was contagious.
Grandma loved her grandchildren. She was a hands-on grandma and, in this case, great grandma. I had to go to girl’s camp, and I needed someone to watch Kolby for a few days. He was probably about 2 years old and I knew this was a big ask but, Grandma was so excited and very willing to watch him so that I could go and serve my young women. When I pulled up at grandma’s house to pick him up, to my surprise, Kolby (who was just in a diaper) was underneath the motorhome and grandma was going after him. I cannot think of any other Great grandma that would even think to get on the ground let alone try to chase a two-year-old under a motorhome. I cannot remember why he was under there (I am sure he was exploring, or a ball rolled under there) but the site of those two will forever be with me. She was letting him figure things out but making sure he was safe in the process.
If you wanted to find grandma, you looked for the babies and little ones. She loved being around the grandkids!!! Grandma and grandpa visited each one of my kids when they were born. They would often just take a drive and call to see if we were available for a visit. I cherished those moments that my family had with them.
25 years ago grandma went to the temple for the first time. I know this because that is how many years ago, I went through. She waited many years to be able to go and I do not think I have ever seen a person more ready, willing and excited as her to serve in the temple. She truly has been an amazing example of service and love and I am so grateful to have been able to call her grandma for over 25 years. Love you Grandma!!!!

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Brian Spencer says:

February 22, 2021

Of the countless memories that I have of Grandma, some that stand out are, strangely, fruit related. Back on the upper backyard terrace, she had walked me up and over to the apricot tree, and with an enthusiastic grin and a sparkle in her eye, she poked and squeezed a few apricots that were looking ripe and ready, but then suddenly noticed something on the ground at her feet. She bent over to inspect further, and after what I thought was way too brief of an analysis – she blew on it, aggressively, gently wiped it on her short sleeved, flower print button down, and handed it over. I looked nervously at the slightly bruised and still a bit dusty apricot. “Just carefully split it in half, and we’ll save the seed.” I did as I was told and a couple drops of juice slid between my fingers. She was already halfway through hers, and seemed OK. Since it was fairly small, I took the seedless half and just shoved it in my mouth. And of course, to this day, it was the most incredible apricot I have ever eaten, and every apricot since has been a futile effort at achieving the apricot greatness that I experienced that day…

I will always associated the flavors and smells of apricots with Grandma, just as I will always associate her with the smells and tastes of ripe bananas. One day in her kitchen I had wandered in looking for a snack, which was a tall order any time of year. Raw almonds, maybe… raisins, hmmm, raw walnuts, no thanks. “Grandma what can I eat?” “Why don’t you have a banana?” I looked up on the countertop, and saw several withered black cylinders where she was pointing, but no bananas. Sensing my hesitation, she grabbed one of these squishy dark tubes, and while staring me down, carefully peeled away the badly damaged exterior to reveal a precariously balanced deep yellowish brown sludgesicle. And in two quick bites it was gone.

Memories of her will never be gone. The most selfless individual I have ever known, her contagious laugh, her brilliant smile, and her incredible spirit will live forever in my heart.

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Eric Spencer says:

February 22, 2021

I have so many great memories of my grandma. From taking us to the Rose Parade and letting us sleep on the streets of Pasadena on New Year’s eve, to camping trips at Rock Creek near Mammoth. She was always so much fun and carried a beautiful smile on her face everywhere she went.

There are a few memories in particular will always stick with me. She was kind enough to stay with us and babysit while my parents were out of town when I was around 11-12 years old. I wanted to go see a movie with a friend and she asked which one. I don’t remember what movie it was, but it was definitely inappropriate for a kid of my age. She told me I couldn’t go see that movie, but I could see a more appropriate one if I wanted. I remember being pretty bummed at the time and was probably had a pretty bad attitude toward grandma because she wouldn’t let me go. Looking back now, I’m grateful that she didn’t cave to my pleadings and stuck to her guns while lovingly explaining to me that I shouldn’t pollute my mind with that kind of entertainment. I’m sure it was hard for her to upset me, but I’ll always remember that example she set.

Grandma used to give me a birthday card every year with some cash in it. When I was around 13 or so, she started including a separate check in my birthday card that said “For Missionary Purposes Only.” I didn’t think much of it as a young teenager (and probably even spent it), but this gesture had a far greater impact on me than I would ever imagine. Fast forward to my 19th birthday, the age that most young men would start missionary service in our church. I had no interest in even attending church at the time, let alone serving a mission. Here is what grandma wrote in my birthday card: “Fulfilling a mission can start at age 19, but many brothers and sisters have started a year, two, three, or more years later and found great joy in doing so. You have a lot to offer those who have yet to learn about the Gospel and you have a lot to gain by serving. To show that I still have confidence in you, the usual check for missionary purposes only is included in this letter. You are the only grandson that I have been inspired to send such checks to to show my support. Why? I do not know. Heavenly Father does.”

Less than a year later, I started attending church again and a few months after my 20th birthday, I left to serve a mission for two years that shaped the rest of my life. I’ll forever be grateful for her faith in me, her faith in God, and for following those inspirations she received through Him.

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Chad Spencer says:

February 23, 2021

My main overriding memory of Grandma Spencer is not so much a specific story or event, but the fact that she was just always happy and smiling, and ready to dispense love and wisdom. Maybe it goes back to her days as a kindergarten teacher, but I think more accurately she was compelled toward that role because her disposition and personality were so suited to it. Of course, with so many rambunctious grandsons, she was also forced into dispensing a little discipline along with the love and wisdom, but it was always done fairly,and we knew we probably deserved harsher treatment!

Having lived away from Southern California for the past 15 years, I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Grandma & Grandpa as often as I would have liked, but I’m very grateful that they both visited us while we lived in Austin, TX, before dementia really kicked in. They swam in our pool with the (quite young a that time) kids, and we all had a great time. More recently, on visits out to CA it was always a pleasure to pay Grandma a visit and she always appreciated getting a big hug even if she wasn’t quite sure who I was.

So grateful to have had such a kind and loving grandmother (two of them, in fact!). And while we’ll all miss her…the fact is, she lived a long and great life that impacted so many people positively, and that is a life to be celebrated!

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Roger Spencer says:

February 23, 2021

Like my brothers, Bruce and Rusty, I had a fantastic mother. Many of you have heard our dad say of her, “Marian was born happy and never recovered.” And even just hearing that would put a smile on her face.
But she did one thing I’ll never forget, because she taught it to me by example. Before a person is baptized, they are asked to repent of any misconduct in their lives. The older one is, the more difficult that can become. Not only is there more time to do things wrong, but also more time to forget what they did wrong. Prior to my mom being baptized, she asked if I could help her to calculate the interest on a debt. She explained that she had borrowed twenty dollars from someone about 22 years earlier and that she wanted to pay them back. We figured she owed about one hundred dollars. She then wrote a check and mailed it to them with a letter of explanation. I wish I could have been there to witness that person reading her letter.

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