Barbara Lillian Spencer

Barbara L. Spencer (nee Willoughby) beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away on May 7, 2026, at the age of 93 surrounded by family. She was born on April 8, 1933, in Ann Arbor to Leland and Lillian (Mueller) Willoughby and raised on the Old Westside.

She was an “Annarborite” through and through and graduated from the old Ann Arbor High School downtown. She treasured her friendships and relationships; especially her lifelong friendship with her childhood neighbor, Betty, whom she met at just three years old.

Barbara devoted much of her life caring for her home and family. She was a true homebody and had a great passion and flare for decorating. She also had a great appreciation/love for wildlife and in her later years they became her major source of entertainment along with visits from friends and family. Barbara was very generous with her time and possessions, often wanting to send people home with treasures she thought they should have. If it wasn’t a treasure she was gifting then it was a treat of some sort. Boy, did she love her sweets; baked goods, chocolates and later in life a freezer of ice cream cones.

A woman of deep faith, Barbara grew up attending Grace Bible Church near the university campus where she later met and married her future husband, Herbert Russell Spencer, who was also attending the University of Michigan. Following her husband’s military draft during the Korean conflict the couple moved to Oceanport, New Jersey where he was stationed at Fort Monmouth. After leaving the military they moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for Herb’s work. They would then move to Rochester, New York before settling once again in Ann Arbor. They would raise their children in faith at West Side United Methodist Church on Seventh Street where they were very active and would eventually make lifelong friends with couples in their Christian dinner group.

Barbara is survived by two sons, Steven (Debra) and Bruce (Sue) and daughter, Julie (Diane) Spencer. She was blessed by six grandchildren: James, Mark, Sarah, Michelle, Nicholas and Rachel; and her four great-grands (soon to be five). Barbara also loved her many nieces and nephews who she spoke of often.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert; parents, Leland and Lillian Willoughby; brothers, Ralph and Robert (Mert) Willoughby and sister, Ruth (William) Gilbert. She was also preceded in death by her middle son, Gordon and his wife, Marti.

The family wishes to express appreciation to the wonderful caregivers (Valerie, Ella, Dr. Babe, Visiting Angels and Arbor Hospice) who allowed Barbara to stay in her home until her passing.What a wonderful gift you provided her and by extension, her family, in her final year.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Westside United Methodist Church; 900 S. 7th St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. A luncheon to follow. Barbara will be laid to rest in the memorial gardens at Westside where she will be united with her husband. Her service will be streamed live for those who are unable to travel at www.youtube.com/@WestSideChurchAnnArbor/streams

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Bird Center of Michigan, P.O. Box 3718, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 (https://birdcentermi.org/donate), or to Arbor Hospice, 2366 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 (arborhospice.org).

Memorial envelopes will be available on the day of the Memorial Service.