- Date Of Birth: January 28, 1935
- Date Of Death: May 27, 2024
- State: Michigan
Shirley Elaine Spencer, 89, of St Johns, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister passed away peacefully on Monday, May 27 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.She was born on January 28, 1935 in Ionia, the daughter of Andrew and Dorothy (Bensinger) Risser. She graduated from Ionia High School in 1952.She married Robert Spencer, also of Ionia, in1953 and they relocated to St. Johns where Bob was a high-school teacher and coach. Shirley was a full-time homemaker. For several years she worked part-time at Jack and Jill Nursery School in St Johns and later at the Intermediate School District in Clinton County. She also worked for a brief time at St. Johns High School.Shirley was a loving, friendly and caring person. She made it a point to always remember everyone’s birthdays and special events. She loved being a doting grandmother and enjoyed bowling, playing cards, mushroom hunting, looking for treasures at garage sales and writing poems.Shirley is preceded in death by her husband Robert (Bob) Spencer (in 2017) and her youngest son, Andrew Spencer (in 2013) both of St. Johns. She is survived by two sons: Jack of Lansing and Robert Jr. and her daughter-in-law, Diane of Everett, WA and one daughter: Sherry McKenzie of Shelbyville, MI. She’s also survived by her sister Marcia Bolo of Seneca, SC and her sister-in-law Barbara (Spencer) Greve and brother-in-law James Greve both of Owosso.In addition, Shirley has four grandchildren. Two are grandsons – Scott McKenzie and Anthony (Tony) Spencer, both of the Seattle Washington area. Two are granddaughters – Sarah Kavanagh (and Bryon Kavanagh) of St Johns and Sasha Spencer (and David Nishizaki) of Vassalboro, ME. Shirley is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren: Collette Anderson-Holzwarts, Noah McKenzie, Finnegan Kavanagh, and Grant and Bowman Spencer, as well as 2 great-great grandchildren, Ariya and Obi.Shirley will also be missed by many cousins, nieces, nephews and long-time friends and neighbors.
