Lord on July 14, 2020. Mom amazed us as she maintained her charisma and delightful sense of
humor in her final days.
Barbara was born on January 25, 1928 to the late Barbara Brooks Smyth and James Smyth. She
grew up in Brookline and Newton, Massachusetts, and graduated from Radcliffe College in
1950.
Radcliffe was where Barbara met the love of her life, Harvard student Robert Joyce Spence.
They met after class in 1947, and he had a friend ask her for a date. After a four-year courtship,
Robert and Barbara married on June 2, 1951, and remained together for 63 years until his death
in 2014.
A major in Classics at Radcliffe, Barbara retained a lifelong interest in the field, studying Greek,
Latin and Aramaic with Father Paul at the Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham. She had a particular
passion for the arts, including classical Chinese brush-painting. She loved music; an avid singer,
she was a member of the choir at South Shore Choral Arts, as well as the St. Mary’s of the
Nativity Church in Scituate. She was also an avid golfer winning the Scituate Country Club 9-
hole championship at the age of 83. Barbara loved birdwatching and was a big fan of Disney
World making several visits with her family. She also traveled extensively around the world.
It was in helping others that Barbara truly came into her own. She volunteered throughout her
life, including decades at the Pine Street Inn in Boston. With Robert, she established The Spence
Family Trust. She supported charitable and community organizations including the South Shore
Hospital, the YMCA, the parish center at St. Mary’s of the Nativity Church and others.
Barbara and Robert especially believed in supporting educational institutions including their
alma maters, Radcliffe, Harvard and Phillips Exeter Academy. Together, they endowed the Grace
J. Spence Memorial Scholarship at Exeter, in honor of Robert’s mother, providing a scholarship
that is awarded to a student in need each year.
Ultimately, Barbara’s greatest joy and center of her life was always her family. She supported
Robert as he rose to leadership positions in century-old South Shore businesses founded or
owned by his family including Rockland Trust Company and the Albert Culver Company. And
she raised her and Robert’s six children, driving them to school, hockey games and skating
competitions and participating fully in their busy lives.
Barbara continued to be just as involved in the lives of her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren,
always available to lend a second pair of hands to anyone who needed them,
spending countless hours at sports and school events and serving as the “go-to” family member
for help with math and Greek.
Barbara is survived by her six children including Robert J. Spence, Jr., and his wife Maura, of
Scituate; William F. and Susan Spence of Norwell; Richard H. and Jeanne Spence of Scituate;
Carole S. and Michael Mullen of Marshfield; Barbara S. and Peter Roberts of Scituate; and
Susan S. and Robert Brosnan of Scituate. She also is the grandmother of 13 and greatgrandmother
of five.
With gratefulness in their hearts, Barbara’s family would like to thank the caregivers, Pam, Jenn,
Marissa, Ann, Denise, Cora and Laura, who have been so compassionate and supportive through
the years.
Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Barbara may be made to Glastonbury Abbey, 16
Hull Street, Hingham, MA 02043, 781-749-2155 • [email protected]
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