Annette Lee Spenser

Annette was raised in the Waimea and Kekaha districts on the island of Kauai. Attending Waimea High School, where she was an honor student while participating in volleyball, basketball, softball, swimming and cheerleading. Her natural, athletic beauty led to occasional modeling jobs and being used as an extra in the Hollywood films “Pagan Love Song” and “Bird of Paradise”. After graduating in 1952, Annette attended Woodbury College in Los Angeles for two years before working as a secretary in the late 50’s. It was during this time, she met her future husband of 60 years, Robert “Bobby” Spenser; through friends in L.A’s tight knit Hawaiian community. They married in 1957 and returned to Bobby’s Maui home for good in 1961, where they raised seven children. She retired as an executive secretary for MEO in 1999.

She was pre-deceased by her parents, Bennett Holt, Annie Roberts and brothers Bennett Jr. and Ronnie. She is survived by her husband Robert J. Spenser Sr.; sons, Robert Jr. (Jennie), Russell, Kaipo (Jennifer); daughters, Tammy Ramirez (Richard), Tracy Olivera, Toby Spenser-Benedetti (Mike). Tanee Timmons (Bill); brothers, Norman (Beverly) Holt, Richard Waalani (Barbara), James Anakalea (Diana); sisters, Wanda Aki, Eula Zablan, Lihue Miller (Chris);11 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be remembered as an exquisite hula dancer and deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church on Tuesday, December 19, 2017. Service will begin at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church then burial to follow at Maui Veteran’s Cemetery in Makawao.

The family would like to thank Islands Hospice for their brief but caring service during mom’s final days.