Catherine Marie (Powers) Spencer, age 96, passed away Saturday, May 11, at Trinity Care Center in Farmington, surrounded by love and family.
Katie lived her entire life in Rochester. She was born on December 19, 1922 to Joseph Powers and Matie (Rasmussen) Powers, the first of two children. They lived in a little house on 3rd Avenue SE that eventually floated down the Zumbro River in a flood. She graduated in 1942 as a member of the last graduating class from St. John’s High School, after which it was torn down and Lourdes was built. She then attended RCC for two years. She worked as a switchboard operator at the “Ma” Bell Telephone Company and The Kahler Hotel, then later as the Rectory Secretary at St. John’s Catholic Church.
She had a strong sense of family and was a generous and kind wife, mother, and grandmother. When she was 27 years old, on June 10, 1950, she married Charles “Chuck” Spencer, and together they had six children. They lived in a small house on 4th Street until she was pregnant with the twins, when they moved into a house on 12th Avenue SE along with Chuck’s parents, Ed and Flossy. Chuck and Katie slept in the living room while Chuck’s parents and the kids slept in the three bedrooms. Her husband, Chuck died suddenly in October 1974. She stepped into the role of matriarch of the family and held her children and grandchildren with great love. She combined her creativity and love of entertaining to create joyous and raucous celebration traditions, particularly at Christmastime, when she became Mrs. Claus and the family performed skits known as Boomaroomas.
She was a devoted member of St. Francis Catholic Church — her father was one of the first parish trustees, and as a child she watched it be built from her back porch, next to the convent. Her Catholic faith was very important to her and a source of strength and comfort. For her last 20 years, Katie lived at Gramercy Park Cooperative among many friends who were a second family to her. She enjoyed making and giving greeting cards. She was sharp-witted, with a keen interest in politics and dedication to the daily Cryptoquote.
She is survived by her children, Margaret (Dan) Trost, Joseph (Sharon) Spencer, Andrew (Muriel) Spencer, and Sara (Chris) Cowen; daughter-in-law, Joanne Spencer; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, James “Jim” Powers; daughter, Mary Spencer; and son, Tim Spencer.
Katie’s family would like to express a special thank you to the staff at Trinity Care Center, where she spent the last five weeks of her life, for their professional and compassionate care, and to all who visited, sent cards, and prayed for her.
Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis.
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