Linda Jan Spence

East Lansing

Age 66, passed away at her home in East Lansing, Michigan. Born July 10, 1947 in Detroit, Michigan to Jesse Duncan Smart Smith and James Latta Spence and grew up in Birmingham.

In 1969, Linda completed her undergraduate degree in the School of Nursing, Michigan State University. In 1970 she attended the University of California, San Francisco for specialty training in Family-Child Nursing. She then continued her education at Michigan State University, obtaining a PhD in 1992 in Developmental and Child Family/Clinical Psychology.

Dr. Spence was a long time member of the College of Nursing faculty with expertise in Family-Child Nursing, Human Development and Clinical Psychology. She taught pediatrics and a variety of other courses in the undergraduate program as well as courses in the Masters and PhD programs.

During her forty year tenure, she shared her expertise with generations of undergraduate and graduate nursing students and contributed significantly to the development of curriculum and learning experiences.

Over time, her interest in the care of children merged with her avocation for training dogs. Her clinical work and research focused on the adaptation of chronically ill children and their families as well as the role of companion animals in the adaptation process.

Dr. Spence served on the committee that developed the initial Master’s degree program as well as the committee that developed the PhD Program. She was also a long time member of the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects. Dr. Spence retired from MSU in 2011 to focus on her love of dogs.

Linda is survived by cousins, Joan Smith of East Lansing and Cheryl Shewach of West Bloomfield and many others, as well. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A Memorial Gathering will be held Saturday, September 21 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing followed by a reception at Coral Gables, 2838 East Grand River Ave, East Lansing.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Linda J. Spence Endowed Fellowship Fund, MSU, College of Nursing, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, 1355 Bogue St., Rm. C133, East Lansing, MI 48824 or the Linda J. Spence, PhD, Endowment for Veterinary Rehabilitation Services, MSU, Veterinary Center, 784 Wilson Rd. – F130, East Lansing, 48824. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com