Muriel C. Spence

Considerate and loving, Muriel (Card) Spence, age 94, of 44 Clipper Way in Bristol, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 17, 2019 in St. Elizabeth Manor shortly after her children left the nursing home, more concerned about her children’s feelings than being alone. She was the wife of the late Richard Spence, and cared for him at home for the seven years of his illness.

Born in Wakefield, Rhode Island, she was a daughter of the late Charles A. (of Hopkinton, RI) and Marjorie (Greene) Card (of Davisville, RI). When she was quite young, her family moved from South County to Fall River for her dad’s work. She was a graduate of B.M.C Durfee High School and the Truesale Hospital School of Nursing. Deciding there was a lot more she wanted to know about the world, she returned to school at the age of 49, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, from the University of Rhode Island in History and Art History. She shared her love of history and art with her family and museums were always on the itinerary when she visited her daughter in New York.

Mrs. Spence worked as a Registered Nurse at the Truesdale and Charlton Hospitals. She was the one called on by her neighbors and family when there was an emergency. Her calm and her focus reassured those who depended upon her. Later, when Blithewold first opened, she was the Public Relations Director, and a Tour Guide at Blithewold in Bristol. She made many good friends there with whom she kept in regular touch even after they retired from Blithewold.

A member of the First Congregational Church in Bristol, where she and her husband were active. She was a member of the Bristol Junior Woman’s Club and performed in the Follies. She and husband Dick sang with the Choraliers. She was also a member of a local theatre company.

She loved gardening, entertaining, even to cooking 45 game hens for the Spence family Christmas party that she and Dick hosted every year. She was a wonderful baker and her Christmas cookies and cakes, pies, and breads were much appreciated.

She is survived by two daughters, Pamela Spence Bakker (Richard Bakker) of Bristol, RI, Deborah A. Spence of Riverside, RI; one son, Christian C. Spence of Aptos, CA; two grand-children, Jeffrey and Danielle Spence of CA and many nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Jeffrey R. Spence and sister of the late Phyllis Rafferty and Robert and Norman Card.

Her Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 10:00AM in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter St., Fall River. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00PM. Contributions in her honor may be made to the Herren Project, P.O. Box 131, Portsmouth, RI 02871, www.herrenproject.org. Burial private.