Berenice Spalding

Berenice Roth Spalding

Born August 13, 1920, Berenice Roth Spalding of Hillsborough, California, known as Bren to her friends, passed away at age 93 from a sudden illness on August 1, 2013, surrounded by her family.

Bren was born in San Francisco to Lurline Matson Roth and William P. Roth. Her maternal grandfather was Captain William Matson (1849-1917), founder of the Matson Navigation Company. Bren, her twin sister Lurline, and her brother William grew up at the Roth family estate, Filoli, in Woodside, California.

A graduate of The Hamlin School in San Francisco, Bren made her debut at Filoli in 1938 and travelled extensively prior to her marriage to Spencer Grant in 1941; they divorced in 1960. They had four children, all of whom reside in California.

Bren married Charles Spalding in 1962 and they were happily married until Mr. Spalding's death in 2000.

An avid philanthropist and active in her community, Bren carried on a family tradition of supporting the causes about which she was most passionate.

Bren was an accomplished sportswoman, with a deep love for horses, skiing, fishing, swimming and sailing. Bren broke two world records while sport-fishing in Hawaii, where she maintained a beautiful home and spent many happy years.

In addition to her athletic pursuits, Bren adored entertaining, Bridge, gardening and the outdoors. Bren was a member of the Daughters of Hawaii, the Hillsborough Garden Club, and a former board member and tour guide of Filoli.

She is survived by her twin sister Lurline Coonan and her brother William Matson Roth; her four children: Arthur Grant, Berenice Brackett, Katherine Carver and Elena Grant; nine grandchildren: Francis Martin, Roth Martin, Paul Grant, Phillip Grant, Genevieve Levin, Nina Arnold, Spencer Arnold, Matson Carver, and Lia Carver; nine great-grandchildren: Francis Martin, Matson Martin, Harry Martin, Grey Martin, Pia Martin, Lurline Martin, Fritz Martin, Charles Grant and Alixe Martin.

Bren touched the lives of many people and will always be loved and remembered warmly by all who knew her.

A service will be held at St. Matthews Episcopal Church in San Mateo on Monday, August 5th, at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow immediately. Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the Filoli Center.