Esther Elizabeth Kirby Spence

On Saturday, April 24, 2021, Esther Elizabeth Kirby Spence of Silver Spring, MD formerly of Laurel, MD. Beloved wife of the late Otis "Oakey" B. Spence. Loving mother of Jean A. Feick and her husband Philip, Sandra L. Anton and her husband Roger and Susan E. Spence and her husband Jeryl Gegan. Sister of the late Ruth Redmond. Devoted grandmother of Philip, Jr., Jonathan, Janet, David and Jeffrey. She is also survived by her great grandchildren, Addison "Addie", Steven and Kate.

Family and friends are invited to gather at the Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park, Inc., 7250 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge, MD 21075 ( exit 6 south off Rt. 100) on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 from 1:00 pm till the start of the Graveside Service and Committal at Meadowridge Memorial Park, Elkridge, MD at 1:45 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to JSSA ( Jewish Social Service Agency), 6123 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852.

Esther was born at home in Baltimore, MD. When she was a small child, the family moved to Montevideo, MD. where she lived with her parents and younger sister, Ruth. Her beloved grandparents lived across the road until their deaths.

Esther attended elementary school in a one room schoolhouse in Jessup, MD and later graduated from Glen Burnie High School. After high school, Esther moved briefly back to Baltimore, where she lived with her aunt while working at Montgomery Ward department store. A few years later, she returned home to care for her mother who had become ill.

Through a friend, Esther met the love of her life, Otis. They wed on March 24, 1940 and were married for 63 years until Otis' death in 2003. After briefly living in Greenbelt, MD, Esther and Otis moved to their first real home in Silver Spring, MD while Otis worked at the Government Printing Office. Two daughters, Jean and Sandra were born during these years. Their life was briefly interrupted by Otis service in WW2, after which they built a new home in Laurel, MD. and had their third daughter, Susan. They remained in Laurel until moving to Leisure World, Silver Spring, MD in 1999.

Esther enjoyed their home and family and especially loved to sew, making many outfits for her three growing daughters. She also enjoyed cooking and baking and preparing the fresh vegetables that Otis loved growing in their garden.

She participated in many organizations and when the children were young she volunteered with the Brownies, Girl Scouts, local schools and helped out at the First United Methodist Church, Laurel, MD. where she and Otis were members for 50 years. After the children were grown, Esther became a lifetime member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Jessup, MD. where she especially enjoyed participating in their activities. After Otis' retirement from the Printing Office, Esther and Otis travelled widely throughout the US, an activity that Esther especially enjoyed. After Otis' death in 2003, Esther continued to stay active travelling with Leisure World friends and volunteering at the Interfaith Chapel where she was a member.