On 11 January, a memorial service and celebration of life was held for Terri Loraine Haugen Spencer, one of the Charter Members of the Rotary Club of Lake Stevens. She passed away in later November just shy of her 73rd birthday. But, she packed so much in those years. She was born in Port Angeles but raised in Everett. She was in the very first graduating class of Cascade High School in 1965. She graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Business Administration. She also met an engineering student by the name of John Spencer.
Pastor Benson giving a Prayer of Commendation for Terri.They married in 1968 and lived in Olympia for a number of years. There hse began he lifelong passion to better the lives of children. She formed the Glenna Overton Children's Orthopedic Guild and worked with the school district to ease the burden of double shifting children. The Spencer's moved to Lake Stevens in the mid 80's. Terri continued her passion for the community, schools and childhood education.
She led the formation of the Clean Lake Association to protect the Lake. She was elected to the School Board in 1991 and served through 2002. She was one of the founders of the Lake Stevens Education Foundation and remained its President until 2015. She was an active member of the Snohomish Arts Council and was vital to the development of the Schack Art Center.
Along with many others in our community, she helped form the Lake Stevens Family Center, built the Avanti House-a home for unwed teenage mothers, brought the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program to Lake Stevens and, as noted, was a charter member of our Rotary Club. She served as President of the Club 1996-1997. She was a fund developer for Deaconess Children's Center. After that, in her "free time," she helped in daughter Lorraine's land use consulting business sighting cellular towers.
She loved a wide variety of activities across a spectrum of subjects. Outdoor recreation, arts and crafts, travel around the world, but, most of all she was proud of her family. Husband John, who recently completed a term as Mayor of Lake Stevens (after four years on the City Council), children Lorraine, Peter and Jeff, their spouses, seven grandchildren, brothers John and Jim, their wives and, sister Pam Hallanger.
Many people from Lake Stevens and far beyond attended the service. This included many of her high school class at Cascade, friends from Olympia and people from organizations that she was a beloved member of including the Rotary Club, the School Board and the Lake Stevens Education Foundation (LSEF). Past School District Superintendents Joe Ghaffari and Dave Burgess joined current Superintendent Amy Beth Cook along with School Board Member Mari Taylor as well as past senior leaders of the school district. Leslie Elsemore led the group of dedicated LSEF advocates. Mayor Brent Gailey and City Council Members Kim Daughtry and Marcus Tangent were in attendance along with Rotarians Tracy & Dave DeLorm, Chris Jacobson, James & Angie Monroe, Gary O'Rielly, Reschal Ploeger Jim & Dawn Steinruck, and Chris Vallo. State Representative John Lovick and former Director of the Department of Social and Health Services Kevin Quigley also paid their respects.
Several spoke about Terri including our own Jim Steinruck. He said the "reason the Rotary Club of Lake Stevens is the Club it is is because of Terri Spencer." Sister-in-Law Kristin Haugen said "The best and brightest light of Terri will shine forever in us." Her daughter said it best when referring to the poem The Weaver "The weaving from above must be brilliant."
Terri's daughter LorraineThe impact that Terri has on the children of the the past 50 years and for many decades to come is immeasurable. And, most of the children will never know.