Judith Spencer March 25, 1934–March 8, 2020 She was Mummy to some, Mom, and Grandmere to others, but to all who knew her, Judith Spencer will be known as a beautiful, thoughtful, caring person, who was always up for fun, and was incredibly dedicated to her friends and family. During her lifetime, she regularly joined her daughters on roadtrips down to Athens, GA—then the epicenter of cool and jangly rock in the early 1980s. In her time as a 50-something cool kid, she witnessed the rise of REM, Pylon, Love Tractor, Sonic Youth, Warren Zevon, and more. She loved September Song by Frank Sinatra, but had a special place in her heart for Rod Stewart—a fellow Scot—always enjoying a bit of a gyration to "Do You Think I'm Sexy," unafraid of self-expression, and mortifying her daughters. When her daughters were youngsters, she led them on energetic calisthenics to the sounds of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass in their living room. Judith Ann Stratton was born to Robert Stratton and Mabel (Squire) Stratton on March 25, 1934, in Springfield, Massachusetts. She was the middle child, joining her sister Barbara, and later by her brother Jimmy. Growing up during World War II, Judith shared vivid memories of blackouts and rationing with her three daughters, Anne, Coree, and Shannon. One particular story that never got old was of her standing on a stepstool helping her mother squeeze packets of yellow dye into lard to help it better resemble butter. She grew up on West Alvard St, later moving to Sunapee St. By all accounts, Judy was a beautiful and poised young lady who enjoyed dancing and going out. After Commerce High School, she attended Bay Path Junior College, obtaining an Associates Degree in Secretarial Science, after which she worked in the offices of Dr. Wilson Doherty. She married Richard Spencer, a high school teacher, on February 27, 1960. She had three daughters shortly after, while residing in East Longmeadow MA. Playing Sancho Panza to Richard's Don Quixote, she patiently navigated the time warp that was 1974 Great Britain when the family moved to the small village of Disley, England, so that Richard could teach English to the Brits. She bravely soldiered on in wartime-like circumstances with no central heating, no refrigerator, and a hot plate, foraging daily in Disley's small shops to make food for her family. On weekends the family would travel to Bakewell market in the Peak District, where Mum would talk soothingly to the pigs to be auctioned for hours. After her return from England, Judy took jobs at the East Longmeadow Town Library, and participated in the 1066 program, helping troubled youths in East Longmeadow public schools. Later on, she worked as a receptionist for dentists Dr Dan Melein, and, subsequently, Dr Larry Life, where she always greeted every patient with kindness and empathy. She survived training all three daughters how to drive a stick shift, dating drama, and minor fashion crises. She regularly took the girls to Eastfield Mall to see the latest movies, earning "cool mom cred" for taking them to the opening day of the first Star Wars, which included a trip to the iron-on t-shirt shop in the mall for swag. A devoted mother, she once dumpster-dived at the Flaming Pit restaurant for a missing retainer when Anne misplaced it mere hours after acquiring it. After becoming an empty nester, Judith moved to Eastham, MA with Richard, where she was a tour guide for the Eastham Information Center. She and Richard enjoyed walks on the beach and canoeing, and made many friends. She and Richard also enjoyed a second career as drivers for Enterprise Rental Cars, picking up strangers and helping them immediately feel at ease. Growing tired of long New England winters and Cape traffic, they moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where they again made a lovely community of friends, primarily driven by Judy's outgoing and warm personality. After Richard's passing in November 2016, Judy relocated to West Roxbury, MA to live near her daughter Anne's family, where she indulged her love for her only grandchild, her beloved Francesca Mae. On January 18, 2020, Judy tripped, fell, and broke her left hip. She underwent a partial hip replacement and subsequent rehab, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. At 85, and this being her third time facing such a recovery, it was daunting for sure. Through her persistence and tenacity, she was able to walk unassisted within 6 weeks. She was a model of bravery and toughness for her daughters and her granddaughter. Judy was a frequent focus of Facebook envy due to her many trips for oysters and lashings of pinot grigio. On Sunday, March 8, she went to one of her favourite restaurants—Legal Seafoods in Chestnut Hill—with her favourite person in the world—her granddaughter, Francesca Mae. They split a basket of fries and onion strings and laughed and teased each other. Thirty minutes later, after Anne's car was hit head-on by a car that veered into her lane, Judy slipped the bonds of mortality and joined the great lobster roll and oyster feast in the great hereafter. Live every day like it's your last, and be kind to yourself and others, and persist. Things mum loved, in no particular order: Oysters Pinot grigio Dancing Singing Long walks Reading Sex and the City Grace and Frankie Something's Gotta Give Lobster rolls Any movie with Diane Lane Dogs Pigs In lieu of gifts, please make donations to The Animal Rescue League of Boston (or your local chapter), or the ASPCA.