Sandra Mariann Spencer

was born May 22, 1935 in Syracuse, New York, and died April 9, 2021 in Woodland, California. Her parents were Clyde Spencer and Mariann Malcolm Spencer, both of Sycuse, NY. Her family moved to California in the late 1930’s where Sandy grew up and went to school in Long Beach, CA. She received an AA degree from Long Beach City College, graduated with a BA degree in Spanish from UCLA, and earned her Masters’ degree in Library Science from the University of Southern California. She first worked in the Santa Ana, CA, school system but took the job of the Librarian of Mendocino County’s School System in Ukiah, California in the 1960’s, and, for the next sixty years made, Ukiah her home. Her most recent employment was as a reference librarian at Mendocino College. She also was a talented horticulturist who, worked with the Sonoma Horticultural Nursery, the Ukiah Garden Club and was a Master Gardener. Among her other interests were rescuing homeless cats which were often trapped, neutered and returned to their outdoor homes. Some of them also came to live with her as a special hobby. She was a participating member of AAUW, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and a long-time member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. She is survived by her two sisters, Helen Spencer and Virginia Spencer, and their children. Sandy gave a great gift in her world of teaching by sharing her love of books and reading to hundreds of school age children. She amazingly was able to talk to people for a few moments and pick out books for them that she knew they would love, and they did. She also opened her home to family members in need, especially her mother and her sister Virginia’s granddaughter Holly Wilson. Sandy was an accomplished scholar and will be remembered for her many positive contributions to Mendocino County’s citizens. Donations can be sent to the Ukiah Garden Club.