Winnifred Anne (Egan) Spencer

“When Irish eyes are smiling it's like a morn in Spring,
In the lilt of Irish laughter, You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy, All the world seems bright and gay,
And when Irish eyes are smiling, Sure, they steal your heart away.”

Winnifred (Winnie) Anne Egan Spencer, age 88, of Coopersville, MI entered into her heavenly home on November 2, 2023.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Allen Clare Spencer, her parents, Martin and Catherine Egan, siblings Mary (Don Corner/Wally Luce), Rose (Louis Goosen) and Mart (Frances Goosen) Egan; and in-law’s Bill and Marilyn Spencer, Fred Schraegle and Wally Clark.

Winnie is survived and loved by her nine children: Sr. Althea Anne Spencer-OSF, Louann (Arlyn) Doornbos, Roseann (Mike) Sessions, Susanne (Dan) Veeneman, Allen (Lori) Spencer, Patrick (Teresa) Spencer, Troy (Jill) Spencer, Wayne (Jeri) Spencer, Katie (Joe) Walker; her sister-in-law Delores “Dee” Schraegle; grandchildren Emily (Jason) DeFouw, Bridgette (Sharky Marin) Veeneman, Jason (Jessica) Doornbos, Erin (Ryan) Smith, Amanda (Adam) Spedoske, Nathan (Adam Hutchens) Veeneman, Gini (Doug Brown) Sessions, Jonathan Doornbos, Jake VanBelzen, Stephanie (Kyle) Branda, David Doornbos, Doug (Heather) Spencer, Hannah Spencer, Elijah Spencer, Sarah Spencer, Cecelia Spencer, Jennah Spencer, Molly Walker, Jack Walker; great-grandchildren Caroline, Collin, Clara and Cora DeFouw; Otis and Cleo Marin; Garrett, Deacon, and Vincent Smith; John, Lily, Matt, Emma, and Andrew Spedoske; Raelynn and Jase Spencer; “Baby” Brown; along with many nieces and nephews. 

Winnie had many varying work experiences over the years. She was well known as the Stanley Home Products lady which she did for well over 40 years. Her favorite was the years working for the Coopersville Veterinary Hospital.  She had a passion for animals and she knew everyone’s cat or dog.  Her other passions were her church, St. Michael’s where she was a Eucharistic Minister and CCD teacher, and baking and feeding people.  She made and served monthly birthday cakes for the homeless of Grand Rapids at God’s Kitchen for over 35 years.  She made wedding cakes for family and friends. Winnie also organized and served the Repast funeral lunches at St. Michael’s Church.  She was best known for her peanut brittle, pineapple upside down cakes, and her Texas brownies.  Her favorite day of the week was Sunday; Mass in the morning and the weekly open-door Sunday Family Dinners in the evening.  

She instilled her deep faith in her children and was very supportive of their many involvements…which kept her on the move!  She will be deeply missed but remembered for her love of music, dance, prayer, and especially her children and animals.

 Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023 11:00 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 17150 88t Ave, Coopersville with Fr. Michael Hodges Celebrant. Burial will be next to her husband Al in St Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Coopersville. 

Visitation Monday, Nov. 13, 2023  5 – 8 P.M. at the Throop Funeral Home, 214 Church St, Coopersville. The Rosary will be prayed Monday evening at 8 P.M. following visitation at the funeral home. Visitation will also be held Tuesday one hour prior to the service from 10 – 11 A.M. at St Michael’s Church. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of North Ottawa Community 1061 S. Beacon Blvd., Suite 200 Grand Haven, MI 49417; or Lori’s Voice PO Box 66, Coopersville, MI 49404; or to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God, 5802 Curry Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15236. Condolences for the family may be left on Winnie’s online guestbook at www.throopfh.com.
Throop Funeral Home, Coopersville 616-837-8161