Obituary: Gail Elaine Spencer, 1941-2024 (2024)

GailElaine Spencer, 82, wife of Malcom Myers Spencer for 55 years, passedaway at her home as she wanted, truly in peace , on June 30, 2024.Her battle with depression coupled with Parkinson’s disease nolonger has a hold on her body and spirit. This is where the familyhas found the most comfort, as she slipped away over these last threeyears.

Gailwas born on October 5, 1941, in Colchester, Vt., to Thelma and CurtisEcho. She attended Burlington High School and was a part of thecheerleading team, graduating in 1959. She went on to graduate fromChamplain College with an associate’s degree as a medicalsecretary. She worked at the University of Vermont in the communitymedicine department, headed by Dr. Charles Houston. It was there thatshe met Malcolm, who asked her out as he was registering for classesat UVM, and where she worked with his mother, Mary — having heardfirsthand stories of her son. From there it was history, and they wedon August 17, 1968. She then played the most important role as astay-at-home mom to raise her two children. As they grew older, shewent to work at the Essex Town superintendent’s office as itsbookkeeper. She volunteered at St. Pius X Parish teaching catechismand in later years was also a eucharistic minister, visiting homes tooffer communion to those that were ill. She also volunteered with hermost beloved dog, Polar, providing therapy to both the psychiatricward and pediatric department at the UVM Medical Center. Gail andPolar were favorite visitors as well at the Thomas Fleming School inEssex Junction, where they worked and provided reading support to thestudents in the special education department.

Shewas without a doubt the best listener and such a support to so many,helping others, as evident in her volunteer work and through theexperiences and struggles she herself endured. She was an avidgardener, with the greatest green thumb, competing on occasion in theChamplain Valley Fair with her masterpiece bouquets straight from thebackyard. Being able to garden was something she loved so much andwhere she found peace. She could do it for hours and thoroughlymissed it right up to the end.

Gailis survived by her husband, Malcolm Myers Spencer; children, MarkSpencer and Sarah Carroll (Chris); granddaughter, Penelope “Poppy”Anne Carroll; sister, Susan Howard (Tom); mother-in-law, JaneSpencer; and so many special nieces and nephews who she loved as herown. Gail was predeceased by her parents, Curtis and Thelma Echo;brothers, Lance Echo and Curtis Echo Jr. (Carol); in-laws Dr. MalcolmCedric Spencer and Mary Evans Spencer; sisters-in-law, Carol Echo,Sarah Evans Mills and Mary Patricia Kittredge; and brothers-in-law,John Spencer and Samuel Jesse Spencer (Kamala).

Thefamily cannot thank the team of medical professionals and hospiceenough for all the caring they provided to her and Malcolm toward theend. The biggest thank-you goes to Malcolm, who was by her side asher caretaker for these last few years. He was beyond amazing, guidedby God, and living the vows he made 55 years ago. What a welcomingshe’ll have in heaven, reuniting with her parents, brothers,father- and mother-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, dearneighbors she thought of as family, and so many others she knew andloved that have left this Earth. Heaven will be a much morespectacular place with her in it. Her children, Mark and Sarah, willnever forget the unconditional love she bestowed upon them — shewill be so very missed and thought of every day.

Inhonor of Gail and the volunteer work she valued so much, pleaseconsider a donation to Therapy Dogs of Vermont to help them continuethis important service in our communities. Her wishto not have a funeral was granted, and the family is planning acelebration of life in early May 2025 to give all an opportunity toshare their fondest memories, stories and love for her.