It is with profound sadness that the family of Lily Spencer announces her death. Lil died on February 13th in Saskatoon’s St. Paul's Hospital after a prolonged illness with cancer. Lil was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1931. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and Prince Albert community worker. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband and partner of 53 years, Dick Spencer of Prince Albert; her son John (Elaine) Spencer and grandchildren Benjamin and Colette Spencer of Surrey-White Rock, BC; her sister Evalene Mazurkie of Regina; her brother Dr. Stanley (Deborah) Mazurkie and family of Boston, Massachusetts and her brother-in-law Ted (Valerie) Spencer and family of Winnipeg. She was predeceased by her parents, Andrew and Eva Mazurkie of Mortlach, SK. Lil was born in Moose Jaw, SK and attended public and high schools in Mortlach. After high school she studied at the Regina Business College and worked briefly for the Saskatchewan Provincial Government in the Department of Public Works before attending the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon where she earned an honors Bachelor of Arts degree. Lil thoroughly enjoyed her university studies and the campus life that went with it. She particularly enjoyed her activities and associates on the student newspaper “The Sheaf” where she served as a writer and department editor. She took a keen interest in campus politics and student government. It was on campus that she was courted by Dick, her husband to be. Their plans to marry were made early and Dick always said “It was love at first sight”. They were married on August 15, 1958 and made their home in Prince Albert. Lil contributed 40 years of active membership and volunteer service to the Prince Albert Y.W.C.A. for which she was honored with a life-time membership in that organization. She was instrumental in organizing the “Friends of the YWCA”, an enthusiastic group of women who yearly helped to organize “Women of Distinction” banquets honoring a succession of remarkable Prince Albert women volunteers in the city’s social and public service. In 2005 Lil was a recipient of the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal presented by the Lieutenant Governor for “Outstanding Achievement and Significant Contribution to Society”. Lil was an active member of the Prince Albert S.P.C.A. The S.P.C.A. was always close to her heart because she loved animals and believed that they needed strong, outspoken public advocates to provide food, shelter, homes and love to mistreated and abandoned strays. She joked about being an “animal activist”. Lil had an abiding interest in the public life of the city. She took an active part in this life. Lil was a superb “First Lady” for the City during her husband’s 9 years as Mayor when formal civic duties required her attendance and participation. She played an active role in the federal campaigns of John Diefenbaker when she served as a Campaign Director in the Diefenbaker Committee Rooms and later, for a term as Diefenbaker’s Constituency Office Manager. She was a close personal friend of Olive Diefenbaker. Lil was a genuine optimist. She believed in possibilities. She always sought to make the bad things go away and the good things happen. She had a sprightly, kindly sense of humour and a composure that gave her perspective, comfort and judgment if days were troubled. For others she was always an enabler, and enhancer, seldom a critic. Lil loved books. She was a reader, and a lover of literature. She enjoyed music and crosswords, needle work, knitting, flowers, gardening and holiday life at “Miramar” the family cottage at Candle Lake. In the summer the family gathered at the cottage. There she enjoyed her son, John’s great B-B Q’s and her grandchildren playing on the beach in the sunshine. She especially loved sitting with family on “the perch” watching breathlessly beautiful sunsets in the evenings. The family would like to thank the staff of the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert and St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon for their excellent care and compassion. In accordance with her wishes no formal funeral or memorial service is planned by the family. At a later date an informal gathering of family and friends may be held. A Private Family Interment of cremated remains will take place in the springtime. It was Lil’s wish that this be done “when the grass is green and the sky is blue”. In lieu of other tributes, the family will be grateful to have memorial donations in her name made payable to the Prince Albert SPCA, PO Box 1832, Prince Albert, SK S6V 6J9. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray's Funeral Chapel, Drew Gray, Funeral Director.

• Date : 2011-02-13 06:00:00
• Location : Saskatoon, SK