Patricia Spencer

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO THE WEATHER FORECAST, THE FUNERAL MASS FOR MRS. SPENCER WILL BE POSTPONED TO 10:00 AM WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2017, AT ST. FRANCES CABRINI CHURCH. Patricia Ann (Regan) Spencer, beloved wife of Robert Joseph Spencer of sixty-one years, loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher and cherished friend to so many, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, March 8th, 2017. Born on November 21, 1932, in Albany, New York, to parents Robert and Margaret Regan, Pat grew up with her younger brother Robert in Fort Covington, New York. Pat chose to pursue a career in education and enrolled in New York State Teachers College at Potsdam (now known as SUNY Potsdam), in St. Lawrence County, New York. and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1954. Pat met Robert Spencer, formerly of Glendale, Rhode Island, and the two were married on August 13, 1955. Following Robert's military service in the United States Army in Korea, she and her husband moved to Piscataway, New Jersey in 1957, where they raised six children. Pat pursued her career as an educator in the Piscataway school system, a career which spanned twenty-three years, while raising her children. She taught grades Kindergarten through Third Grade at the Knollwood and Martin Luther King Schools, where her students fondly remember time spent with classroom mascot, Gordie , and her passion for reading. For many years Pat would invite children to her home at Thanksgiving time to help bake cranberry-walnut bread for the holidays. Her mission in teaching kindergarten each year was that every graduate would learn to read. She retired from teaching in 1995. Pat was a member of the Roman Catholic community of St. Frances Cabrini, where she served as the school's first president of the (PTA) Parent-Teacher Association. She served in many capacities within the church community and was a daily communicant as well as Eucharistic minister. Her first love was undoubtedly her husband and family, but in addition she enjoyed cooking, reading, gardening, and with her husband Robert, traveling throughout the world. Tragically on September 11, 2001, Pat lost her eldest son, Robert Andrew, in the attack on the World Trade Center. She is survived by her husband Robert; her daughters, Kathryn Hayes of San Antonio, Texas, Elizabeth Richardson and husband William of Tewksbury, Susan Craig and husband William of Somerville, Jennifer Fosburgh and husband Dana of Lebanon, daughter-in-law Christine (Hamwi) Spencer of Middletown, and son Michael and wife Margaret (Marrin) of Little Silver. Pat is also survived by her brother, Dr. Robert Regan and his wife Carolyn of East New Market, Maryland. Pat had fourteen grandchildren: Spencer, Emily and Patrick Richardson; Lisi and Olivia Craig; Jade, Lilly and Mia Fosburgh; Addison, Katie and Robert Spencer; and Will, Claire and Henry Spencer. She was affectionately known by her grandchildren as Nonni Love . Family and friends may call on Monday, March 13, at the funeral home, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Frances Cabrini church on Tuesday, March 14, at 10:00 A.M. located at 208 Bound Brook Avenue, Piscataway. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association , 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601.