Nestorine Ruth "Ruth" Potier, daughter of Nestor (1896-1977) and Edna Fern "Fern" (Lawcock) (1901-1984) Potier, was born 25 February 1922 Illinois. She graduated in 1939 from Okemos High School. Ruth married Thomas E. Spencer 30 November 1946 in East Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.
Ruth and Thomas were divorced. Thomas, born 1914, died 10 October 1962 and was interred St. Johns Catholic Cemetery, Jackson County, Michigan. Ruth, according to her father's Lansing State Journal 1977 obituary, lived in California. She died in Santa Clara County, California 20 April 2010 and was interred Los Gatos Memorial Park, San Jose, Santa Clara County.
Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times 22 April 2010
Our beloved mother, grandmother and friend, Ruth P. Spencer was born in Eldorado, Illinois to Nestor and Fern Potier. She was the oldest and last surviving of their four children. Ruth died peacefully after a short illness surrounded by family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
Ruth touched many lives and loved her family and friends very much. She is survived by her children, Priscilla Spencer-Matusewicz and son-in-law Sergei Matusewicz, Rebecca Spencer, Mike Spencer and daughter-in-law Barbara Spencer and a foster daughter, Adrienne Polacci. Ruth was exceedingly proud of her six grandchildren: Lisa Payne and husband David, Marlena and David Matusewicz, Johannah Spencer, Brittany and Bryan Waxman. Ruth was looking forward to the birth of her first great grandchild, Claire Payne, in a few short weeks.
Ruth was very active in the Catholic Church in San Jose for over 30 years at St. Frances Cabrini and Holy Family Parishes as the Director of Religious Education, coordinator of the first Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in California, a Eucharistic Minister, member of the Parish Advisory Council and the Renew Committee, Co-founder of New Horizons Separated and Divorced Catholics group and member of a Christian Living Community.
Ruth was very grateful for her friends and family who gave her life joy and for the many prayers that gave her strength. A celebration of Ruth's life will be held on Thursday, April 22nd with a rosary at 6 p.m. and a funeral Mass at 7 p.m. A reception will be held afterwards in the Holy Family Parish Hall. Burial on Friday, April 23rd at 10 a.m. at Los Gatos Memorial Park.