SPENCE, Wilma C. of Hingham, Hyannis Port, and Bal Harbour, Florida, left this world on October 3, 2015 at the age of 84. She grew up in the Boston area and attended the Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill and Finch College in New York City. After college, she had a career as a fashion model, working for the renowned Hart Model Agency in Boston, for Jordan Marsh organizing their runway shows, and for herself, running workshops for young women to help them cultivate both inner and outer beauty in pragmatic, affordable, and down to earth ways. She married her husband Bill Spence in 1953 and was actively engaged with him as a business partner on many ventures during their marriage. Together, they opened The Surf Ballroom on Nantasket Beach, a music club that was instrumental in changing the music scene in Boston as Rock n’ Roll was born. She was also active in establishing the Surf Hyannis on Cape Cod, Haulover Dinner Cruises in South Florida and Massachusetts Bay Lines, a ferry and commuter boat company in Boston. She was also involved in charity and fundraising work at The Family Counseling and Guidance Centers (Catholic Charities) in Boston where she served as a Director.
The achievement she was most proud of in life was her family. She was married to Bill for 62 years, until his passing in May of this year. They were very devoted to each other and she remained affectionately known to him as “Precious” until the end. They raised four children together on the South Shore and were later blessed with eleven grandchildren who brought great joy to their lives. In addition to family, they shared a love of dogs, golf, warm weather and humor. Cape Cod and Florida were special places that they shared. They were members together of the Hyannis Port Club in Massachusetts, where Wilma served as a Director, and the Surf Club, Indian Creek, and La Gorce Country Clubs in Miami.
Wilma was a great model for the importance of friendship, family and fun. She brought sunshine and sparkle to the lives of those she touched. She had great beauty outside and in and a very generous heart. She was a loyal and devoted friend and sister. She had great wit, was grounded in common sense and practical wisdom and would tell it like it is! She demonstrated remarkable courage at the end of her life.
She leaves behind four children, Jay Spence and his wife Bonnie Baldwin of Pembroke, MA, Darcie Spence of Mill Valley, CA, Jeffrey Spence and his wife Mary Brigid Ratelle of Charlotte, NC, Kerry Spence and her husband Robert Fitzgerald of Needham, MA, her brother John Collins of Wellesley Hills, MA, her brother-in-law John Spence of Duxbury, MA, her sister-in-law Barbara Spence of Scituate, MA, 11 grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and many friends. She was predeceased by her parents Mildred and John Collins of Wellesley Hills, MA and her devoted husband of 62 years Bill Spence.
Funeral Mass in St. Paul Church, 502 Washington St. Wellesley, Friday October 16, 2015 at 11am. A celebration of Wilma’s life will be held directly after the Mass. The internment will be private.
Memorials in Wilma’s name, in lieu of flowers, can be made by mail to: Sisters of Mercy, Northeast Community, 15 Highland View Road, Cumberland, Rhode Island, 02864-1124, Attention Doreen Tucker – Development Office (1-888-636-3729 x115) or on-line at http://www.sistersofmercy.org/get-involved/#donate.