Susan Spencer
Susan Spencer
Devoted wife and mother, Susan Lee (Beighley) Spencer, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving members of her family on June 1, 2025. Born in Youngstown, Ohio on May 29, 1939 to Derwood and Ann Beighley, who dedicated their lives to their two daughters. Derwood and Ann enjoyed attending Susan’s musicals as well as other school and church activities. Susan loved her parents dearly and cherished time spent with them at home and on family vacations as a child.
In 1961, while attending an eighteen to thirty church group in Boardman, she met the soon to be love of her life Dean Spencer. After dating a short time, Dean asked Susan to date only him, and she responded “what then”. Dean stated that they would date for a couple of years, and her response was “if you think you’re going to put me on a shelf for two years, you’re crazy”. Dean asked Susan “what do you want”, and she replied “a ring”. And the rest is history. They gave their vows on Mar. 31, 1962, and began their beloved marriage of 63 years.
After three moves, they landed in Jamestown, New York for 20 years, where they raised their sons Dean, Steve, Derwood, Dwight, and daughter Holly. Susan’s greatest joy came from spending time with her family and fostering a loving environment. She worked tirelessly to maintain the household and entertain family and friends. Family holiday parties were such a delight, and the family relives the stories today. There were many fond memories of Susan enjoying what she cherished most, spending time with her loved ones.
Though she loved being a wife and mother, Susan’s favorite role was as a grandmother. She treasured her grandchildren and loved being their Ma/Nanny, never failing to stick up for them should anyone ever talk negatively about any one of them. In fact, it was the running joke of the family that Ma/Nanny would always support and stick up for the grandchildren no matter how bad the crime.
Of course, we can’t forget Susan’s soft spot for her furry friends, each one being treated like the valuable family member they were. Most recently was Lincoln, who was with Susan for the last four years and was with her until the very end. Although Dean tried hard to keep Lincoln’s diet under control, Susan’s zest for giving him snacks all day kept him plump.
Susan will always be remembered for the meticulous care she provided to her family, especially her cleanliness and order to the household. We’ll miss her beautiful smile and her excitement whenever she knew the family was coming together. We couldn’t have asked for a better matriarch, and will miss her dearly every day. Susan’s memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her.
Susan was preceded in death by her father, Derwood Beighley and mother, Ann Beighley, and is survived by her husband Dean W. Spencer, sons Dean B. Spencer, Steven Schweichler, Derwood Spencer, and Dwight Spencer, daughter Holly Dimenstien, grandsons Wyatt Spencer, Gage Spencer, Brendan Schweichler, Dean Schweichler, Jonathan Daniel, Jacob Cathcart, Joshua Cathcart, and Spencer Cathcart, and granddaughters Breanna Schweichler, Alexis Spencer, and Ysobel Cathcart.
Donations to Saint Joseph Indian School, P.O. Box 300, Chamberlain, South Dakota 57325-9919 would be greatly appreciated.