Ruth M. (Perry) Spencer died Aug. 6, 2003. She was 87.
Ruth M. (Perry) Spencer died Aug. 6, 2003. She was 87.
Mrs. Spencer was born in Hollister. In the 1850s her great-grandparents came from Cornwall, Englan, to the Almaden Quicksilver Mines. In 1860, the family moved to their hotel and stagecoach depot known as the 15 Mile Station, north of Morgan Hill. When the railroad came to the valley, the railroad named the location Perry Station. Her father was born at Perry Station. In the mid-1880s, the family moved to their ranch on Fairview and Fallon Road in Hollister. Her grandfather was a San Benito County supervisor.
Being reared in Hollister, Mrs. Spencer attended Sacred Heart Grammar School, San Benito High School and Gavilan College. After Gavilan, she attended O’Connor Hospital School of Nursing in San Jose. In 1939 she married Ross Spencer and moved to Mountain View.
Ruth was very active with and devoted to her family. She will be remembered for her quick wit and sense of humor. She loved music, dancing, working in the garden and her unconditional love for animals. Mrs. Spencer was active in St. Joseph’s Church, YLI, local PTAs and parent groups. Recently, she was awarded her 1000-hour pin as a volunteer with the El Camino Hospital Auxiliary.
She is survived by her children, Bradley (Rene) Spencer of Morgan Hill, Robert (Deborah) Spencer of San Jose, Susan (Richard) Moore of Mountain View, grandchildren Devin, Brynne, Collin, Maddie Moore, Jaimie Moore; and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Spencer was preceded in death by her husband, Ross Spencer, and brother, Earl Perry.
A Memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mountain View. Inurnment services will be conducted at Santa Clara Catholic Cemetery at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19.
The family asks that any donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Activity Center, 2380 Enborg Lane, San Jose, CA 95128.
Arrangements were under the direction of Cusimano Family Colonial Mortuary, Mountain View.
