Obituary
On February 11,2021 May Spence of Ponoka passed away at the age of 97 years. Although not Covid related, she fought a hard battle the last few weeks.
May was born June 3,1923 in Edinburgh, Scotland and moved to Canada at 4 years of age to live in Edmonton. As a young lady, she played semi-professional basketball with the Army and Navy Pats and Baby Grads.
She married Bob Spence August 5, 1944. They lived happily together until Bob’s passing in 2002. May led CGIT, coached high school girls basketball and softball; belonged to Kinettes, K-forties, Eastern Star, the curling club, Legion, seniors centre, and was a lifetime member of the Ponoka Golf Club. She co-organized the Stampede parade for several years.
Through her love of painting, May partnered with Dorothy Berg at the “Clay Barn” and donated many paintings throughout Ponoka signed “Tutu”. She worked with Bob at Central Hardware, at Gorman’s Drugstore, and the Auction Market.
May and Bob enjoyed holidaying in the USA, Mexico, and Europe. May especially enjoyed her trip to Scotland to discover her roots. Six months every winter was spent in Yuma, Arizona for many years. She later partnered with Don Dillon following Bob’s passing.
May was predeceased by husband Bob; son Ron; and three brothers Alex, Bert and Luke Pringle. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Donna James (Wes) and Darlene (Mike); six grandchildren: Nicole Kestila, Danielle Faria (Vic), Raelene Torok (Norbert ), Rob, Dianna, and Shelby Spence; 13 great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law Verna Pringle; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Halse, the staff of Ponoka Hospital LTC and Rimoka Lodge. We can’t say enough about all of those special individuals who cared for and supported our mum and family. We will never forget your kindness. Thank you so much.
There will be not be a formal Funeral Service in Ponoka. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ponoka F.C.S.S., Ponoka & District Health Foundation (Long Term Care), or the Rimoka Foundation.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary “May” Clark (Pringle) Spence, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary May Clark Pringle Spence June 3 1923 February 11 2021 (age 97)..
Death notice for the town of: Wetaskiwin, Province: Alberta
May Spence was known to me as “my TuTu”, which means grandparent in another language (Hawaiian). She was a strong woman and an amazing grandmother. She golfed well into her 80’s and joined curves as a senior. She was an inspiration. Even in her 90’s she had the wit and sense of humour of a 30 year old. I have so many special memories and we were a very close family. She taught me how to make a wicker basket for Easter by gathering sticks in her farm and weaving them together. She taught me how to draw and paint – lessons to this day I teach my own students and children. She taught me compassion – she would tell me all about the children in Mexico on the streets and how she would give them money and buy costume jewlery from them. She would paint them. I used to love to play with the wild cats that lived under her porch. I remember how fond she was of old barns and gave me an appreciation for art, nature and family. She could make the best pies and creamed peas. I loved her shortbread. I have memories of every Christmas and Easter at the farm. I loved how she would take us shopping at the farmer’s market and Saan and drive us around town. I LOVED going to visit Tutu. She had such a strong presence in the stampede and golf community. When I grew older, I truly learned to value her strength as a woman. She took care of many around her. She stood up for what she believed in. She was alway s so positive. Somehow she always remembered birthdays. I loved how she had the same wrapping paper for birthdays, christmas… for my entire lifetime! She bought the biggest roll in the world and we always knew what gift was from her because it was the same paper! ha. I love how she collected items from her travels and had weird and interesting artefacts, and the elephant figures on her piano. She had a 3 tier candy dish that was ALWAYS filled and we could eat as much as we wanted. She gave up her waterbed for us to stay in when we came. I have endless memories of time I spent with her. She was an amazing person and I will always be grateful for her. I Love you TuTu! May you rest in peace. I will forever be grateful for the lesson you taught me and how you made my childhood so special and memorable 🙂 I only hope to be the grandma you were when I am older. You are an amazing person and will be missed very very much.