MaryAnn Spencer

died peacefully Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010 in Grass Valley, Calif. She was 73 years old. Her family has planned a memorial in Eureka, Calif. at Christ Episcopal Church for 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 20 with a celebration of her life following at the Ingomar Club. Born in Des Moines, Iowa on June 16, 1937 to Leo and Wilma Regan, MaryAnn lived with her family in various states throughout the Midwest, moving to follow her father's career in the banking industry. Leo's work eventually brought the family west to Oregon. MaryAnn attended high school in Drain, Ore., graduating in 1955. MaryAnn attended Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., for her freshman year and transferred to Humboldt State College where she earned a degree in Home Economics with a secondary teaching credential. While studying at Humboldt, MaryAnn met her future husband Robert (Bob) Wayne Spencer. They were married in Eureka at Christ Episcopal Church shortly after their graduation in June 1959. The newlyweds relocated to San Lorenzo, Calif. so that Bob could attend dental school at the College of Physicians and Surgeons University of the Pacific and MaryAnn could accept a teaching position in the Hayward School District, and they began their family. They later moved back to Eureka where Bob established his dental practice and MaryAnn was a mother to their three children, teacher, community volunteer and quiltmaker. MaryAnn's community involvement spanned nearly 50 years and often combined her passion for education and traditional quiltmaking. She was a founding member of the American Quilt Study Group, an organization formed in 1980 to research and present aspects of the history of the American quilt and to introduce the public to the idea that quiltmaking is an important part of our heritage. She then joined the feasibility study and eventual formation of a board in 1983 to record the history of California quilts and quiltmakers, spending seven years canvassing the state to record stories of in-migration and cultural history/diversity. Her work with the California Heritage Quilt Project culminated in a book titled "Ho For California" and a touring museum-style show of quilts featured in the book. Once a teacher always a teacher, MaryAnn taught quiltmaking through Eureka City Schools adult education program and returned to the classroom for several years as a grandparent volunteer, tutoring and mentoring first grade students in math and literacy. MaryAnn also expressed great pride in the work of the Humboldt Area Foundation during her 15-plus years of affiliation with HAF. She actively participated in and led several committees, and was the first Program Officer of HAF, traveling the region to visit grant applicants and support the staff and board in making grant decisions. Her belief in HAF's mission led her to establish memorial scholarship funds in honor of her parents and later for her husband Bob who passed in 2006. In addition, she greatly enjoyed her involvement with such organizations as the Union Labor Health Foundation, Redwood Capital Bank, Vector Health, Humboldt Sponsors, and Redwood Empire Quilt Guild. And, she frequently made and donated quilts to provide comfort to youth experiencing crisis situations. MaryAnn was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by son Scott Spencer and daughter-in-law Lorri Spencer of Grass Valley, Calif.; daughter Sarah Spencer Guglielmo and son-in-law Joe Guglielmo of Paso Robles, Calif.; daughter Kati Spencer of Tempe, Ariz.; and grandsons Kyle Spencer, Zach Spencer, Andrew Guglielmo and Dominic Guglielmo. The family has suggested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of MaryAnn may be sent to Humboldt Area Foundation at 373 Indianola Road, Bayside, CA 95524 or online at www.hafoundation.org, or to the donor's charity of choice. Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.