- Date Of Birth: February 3, 1927
- Date Of Death: May 29, 2020
- State: Idaho
Our mother, Mary Lucille (“Lu”) Spencer, passed away peacefully on May 29th, 2020 at home, surrounded by family, at the age of 93.
Mary Lu was born February 3rd, 1927 to Dr. Elijah Harrison Ikard and Lucille Ernestine Glover in Gooding, Idaho.
Together they were posted in various construction projects around the western United States, with Mary Lu raising two children, Melissa (Manning) and Mark, along with a constant parade of dogs. With each move, she established a new home for our family. As Neal rose in the organization, these homes slowly improved from tents to trailers to middle class suburban living. Assignments became international, with Mary Lu having to adapt to maintaining households in Canada and Europe.
In June 1971, Neal’s promotion to MK executive status brought them back to Boise, where they established themselves in the Hillcrest home where they were to spend the rest of their lives together.
With Neal’s retirement, they continued to travel, but increasingly devoted their time to Idaho. They passed much of their time with friends and family in their beautiful home in Boise, which was filled with Mary Lu’s art and the wonderful treasures that they had accumulated during their travels around the world.
When we think of our Mother, she was so many things. A mother, an artist, a friend and a wife. Her mother’s love was showered on all in our family. She lent her artist’s eye to find beauty in everything she did. Once you were her friend, you were always her friend. As to her bond with Dad, they are together again at last.
She is survived by her daughter Melissa Manning; granddaughter, Kayti Summerland; son, Mark Spencer; daughter-in-law, Carol; and grandsons, Neal and Bryan.
Our family would like to give special thanks to Touchmark, Keystone Hospice, and St Luke’s for helping to care for Mom in her final days.
