Alice Lenora Spence

A Life Well Lived

Alice Lenora Spence - Obituary

Alice came bounding into this world on September 9, 1930, in the beautiful enclave of Bozeman Montana, situated in the scenic Gallatin Valley located at the base of the Rocky Mountains. During her life, she became a beacon of warmth and kindness, touching the lives of all who knew her. 

As a child, Alice braved the cold winter months of the Northwest by becoming an avid ice skater. As a teenager, she held fond memories of warm summer bike rides deep into the country on the back of an Indian Motorcycle. In her late teens she was married and bore two daughters, Alice Rose and Christine Marie. In her early twenties, she found herself single with her two young daughters and moved along with her parents George and Minnie Murry and younger brother Raymond to Brookings Oregon.

To help support herself and provide for her children in her new surroundings, she took a job as a waitress whereby chance, she met and later married her husband Charles Wiley Spence, a local logger with an injured leg, with whom she would share a long and loving marriage until his death in 1999. Helping to tend to his injury likely sparked her lifelong quest to help ease the pain and suffering of thousands through her pursuit of nursing and her ministries. Together the couple joined Eastern Star, where they both remained active for over 50 years, rising prominently through the orders.

Shortly after marrying in June 1951, Charles adopted her two young daughters and together they reared two more children, Margo Spence born in 1952, and Randal Spence in 1953. In 1961 the Spence Clan relocated to Hayward California when Charles returned to his wartime vocation as Chief Engineer aboard transport ships, and sailed regularly in and out of San Francisco Bay Area ports.  As a mother, Alice was nurturing and supportive, instilling strong values and a deep sense of family in her children.  Alice immediately began using her free time while Charles was away for months at a time, to attend classes at Chabot Jr. College taking sculpting and medical assisting classes. Soon after, she began volunteering her time at Kaiser Hospital in Hayward, where she quickly took over as President of the Candy Stripers.

Alice continued with her nursing pursuits and graduated in 1972 with a nursing degree. She began working full time as an RN and continued her education in nursing part time, eventually graduating from St. Mary’s College with a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. Never being content to rest on her laurels, Alice soon became active in CNA (California Nurses Assn), where she once again rose through the ranks to eventually become the California State President for a year. During this process she became extensively involved with Holistic Health, eventually later becoming proficient in the art of Reiki. She literally touched the lives of thousands of grateful patients.

Alice traveled extensively over her lifetime, enjoying Europe, Greece, the Greek Islands, Russia, Chile, Hawaii, Philippines, Japan, China and more. In 1983, Alice and Wiley sold their home in Hayward and retired to Red Bluff, California where she helped design and build the home of their dreams. There they lived together in a small trailer before building and moving into a large workshop.  They eventually completed a large 3,000 ft. 2-story home. Even though busy building her home, Alice still found time to volunteer at the local Hospital, St. Elizabeth’s. In addition, she joined St. Peters Episcopal Church in Red Bluff where she attained her designation as a Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM). Her generous spirit and compassionate nature marked her as a pillar of strength for many.  In 1992, Alice went on to earn the “Women of the Year” award in appreciation for her exceptional qualities of leadership, integrity along with her distinguished achievements for the betterment of her community. The award was presented by the City of Red Bluff Business and Women’s Organization.

In 2004, Alice moved to the San Diego area where after getting situated, she took organ lessons and spent hours practicing her tunes. For many more years, she continued as an active volunteer LEM and Assistant Chaplin at Grossmont Hospital. Along with other functions, she performed Baby Blessings for the newborns. Alice will best be remembered for the smiles she brought to the faces of thousands of patients and their families, through her personal ministry comprised of hand-making and giving away “Prayer Squares” to the thousands of hospital patients. During her lifetime, she personally made and gave away over 30,000 prayer squares, most of them one at a time and individually to hospital patients. Each prayer square (see picture in the Gallery below), came with a personal blessing and always ending in the words, “know that you are loved”. 

No longer able to drive, in September 2018 Alice moved into Lantern Crest elder care facility in Santee, CA where she continued touching the lives of others through her Prayer Square ministry. There she quickly made friends with everyone around her as she enjoyed the many activities available for people of her age. She especially loved attending regular exercise classes that helped keep her strong through to the end. Alice was a highly spiritual person, savored the advice of Dr. Wayne Dyer, believed strongly in reincarnation, spoke often of auras, was quick to smile and was always happy to hear from you. In 1957 she was confirmed into the Episcopal Church located in Prospect, Oregon and after moving to Hayward, CA, attended services at St. Christopher’s in San Lorenzo. After moving to Red Bluff, CA, she became a member of St. Peters Episcopal and most recently a member of Christ the King Episcopal Church located in Alpine, CA.

On April 19th, 2025, Alice went peacefully in her sleep, off to be one with the universe. Her gentle spirit, unwavering devotion, and selfless love will be profoundly missed. So, if on a warm sunny day you by chance happen to see a butterfly flittering about or an eagle circling high above, it’s quite possibly Alice letting you know that her spirit is still alive and wishing you well.

Alice provides an impressive example of a well-lived life. If you Google “A Life Well Lived”, chances are her picture will pop up. Alice is survived by her brother Raymond, her 4 children, 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and countless other cousins, dear friends and associates. Alice now smiles as she shines down upon us from the heavens where a shining star, “Alice Lenora” was specially named in her honor, early in the new millennium. This bright Star she so greatly treasured, can be found in the night sky in Constellation Virgo. Every night of the year for the rest of eternity, she will be shining her love down upon us all. So be sure to remember to occasionally look up at the night sky, think of Alice and how she touched your life along with the lives of countless thousands of others.

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A special memorial celebration was held in honor of Alice on June 29th, 2025.  The following day, Alice’s ashes were scattered at sea amidst thousands of pink rose petals.  A private ceremony involving close family and friends was held off a few miles off the coast of San Diego. There she joined the ashes of her late husband Charles Wiley who was interred there 26 years prior in 1999.  A lone floral wreath was laid upon the water in her loving memory.  

Donations can be made to the Shriner’s Hospital in the name of Alice Lenora Spence. 

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