Dorothy Jean Spencer

It is with great sadness that the family of Dorothy Jean (Caldon) Spencer announces her passing on 2/22/2023 after an extended stay under the gentle care of the staff at Promedica (formerly Manor Care) on Woodward Avenue in Kingsford, Michigan. Dorothy was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan, on November 27, 1937, and has been a lifelong resident through school, a career in retail, and raising a family. Dorothy graduated from Kingsford High School. Dorothy married Lee Douglas (Doug) Spencer on 7/25/1955 and loved him in her very special way until Doug’s passing on February 21, 2017. They resided at their Lake Antoine home for 56 years. Dorothy is survived by her loving children; sons Steven Spencer of Channing, MI and Dale (Diane) Spencer of Niagara, WI, daughters Debbie (Fred) Huber of De Pere, WI, Marsha Conery of Kingsford, MI, and Pamela Maroni, of Iron Mountain, MI. She leaves many grandchildren: Michael and Matthew Spencer, Devin Spencer, Jackie, Robert, Patrick Paul, Jeffrey and Emily Makoutz, Jason and Ryan Conery, Jennifer (Moroni) Fredy, and Justin and Jessica Bocks. Dorothy was also blessed with 15 beautiful great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her father, Albert (“Kitch”) Caldon, mother Katherine (Galeazzi) Caldon, husband Lee Douglas Spencer, brother William Caldon, sister Christine (Caldon) Johnson, and two grandsons Jason and Joseph Spencer. Although raising five children doesn’t leave much time for social events or other community activities, Dorothy could often be found on the community volleyball courts in and around Dickinson County where she made many lifelong friends. She also remained friends with her Shopko co-workers and enjoyed events and lunches with them. She also enjoyed hearing the news of a new grandchild, graduation, engagement, marriage, a new job, or enlistment, and yes, even the town’s latest gossip. Dorothy also loved to bake a variety of cakes and cookies for husband, family, and neighbors. She would often take a tray or two of goodies with her to the weekly BINGO games. Dorothy also had a passion for cooking and loved serving her family homemade pasties, meatloaf, roasts, and platters of spaghetti and Italian sausage. Family members still talk about Dorothy’s nervous laugh when Doug was telling a joke or using his quick wit to make light of an unfolding situation. It wasn’t as if Dorothy didn’t like to laugh, she just wasn’t sure if the punch line had been delivered, or if Doug used the right punchline for the joke he was telling, because his delivery was usually challenged. But Dorothy loved his jokes none the less, and always laughed just the same. On more than one occasion family members recall seeing Dorothy sitting in her special chair at home, and later in the comfort of Promedica (formerly Manor Care), holding a couple of tattered pictures of Doug. She absorbed the images of her husband with the melancholy look of remembrances of earlier times of them sitting together on the picnic table under their large oak tree, or the times spent on the shores of Lake Antoine, or when just going for a drive. Now they will forever be together, just like that elusive pair of Cardinals that alight on the snow-covered cedar fence in the back yard. At Dorothy’s request, the family will hold a small, private service. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Dorothy Spencer online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Dorothy Jean Spencer

November 27, 1937 - February 22, 2023