Obituary of Lillian L. Spencer

Lillian Yvonne Ledbetter Spencer was born on January 31, 1932 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and left Earth's bounds on July 13, 2017. She was the last surviving and sixth of seven children born to Raymond Freedman and Lillian Irene Neal Ledbetter.

Strong willed from an early age and a self-described tom boy as a child, she battled and overcame polio. She excelled in the arts and sports, playing tennis and playing clarinet as well as developing an operatic soprano voice. In 1949, she graduated from Ridley Park High School as a member of the first integrated class in that school's history. Following the educational legacy and direction of her parents, she entered NYU's Bellevue School of Nursing in 1949 and graduated with a degree as a Registered Nurse in 1953. In August of 1953, she married her childhood sweetheart, Murray Sylvester Spencer. From that union, Lillian and Mike had three sons, pridefully boasting of completing her family 'before turning 30'.

There's a saying that doctors don't save lives, nurses do. Like her life nursing friends from Bellevue, Lillian excelled at nursing. Her nursing career was spent at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where she began as part of the night nursing staff in obstetrics and gynecology. With her continuing thirst for education, Lillian pursued and completed her Bachelors of Nursing degree in 1984 and Masters of Nursing in 1989 from the University of Pennsylvania. By the time of her retirement in 1996, she was the supervisor of night nursing, gaining the respect and collegiality of doctors and nurses alike. Later in life, she led the development of a nursing ministry at Corpus Christi Church.

As a member of Corpus Christi Church, Lillian was a member of the choir lending her operatic soprano voice and leading in many songs including two of her favorites, Precious Lord and Ava Maria. With the Trenton Diocese, Lillian joined the choir on trips to Italy and France, including a choir audience for Pope John Paul II.

Lillian was a strong advocate for her children, their opportunity to succeed and the right to be treated equally. Her drive and support led her children to have the best in public and private education in their early years and the opportunity to attend the college of their choice.

With her husband Murray preceding her in death in 1995, Lillian leaves to mourn her three sons, Murray Jr., Patrick and Scot; a daughter-in-law, Marcia; grandchildren Michael, Patrice (mother Roxane Scott), Kashmia, Charisma and Patrick (mother Annette Lang); great grand daughter, Jezelle; brother-in-law, Johnnie Spencer; sister-in-law, Beverly Spencer Ockimy; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews and lifelong friends including Gwendolyn Henderson.

We'd like to give special thanks to: Sade Anthony, Amanda Coxen, Sharon Hunter and especially Charisma Spencer, who provided devoted care to Lillian in her final years.

Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Tuesday, July 18, 2017, 10am, at the Corpus Christi R.C. Church, 11 South Sunset Road,Willingboro,NJ. Relatives and friends please meet directly at church. Interment : Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, NJ.