R. Noel Spence

R. Noel Spence, 91, of Greencastle, PA, passed away at his home on July 3.
Born on February 19, 1934, in Hagerstown, MD, Noel was the son of the late Kenneth and Mary Spence. He was preceded in death by his wife Vicky Spence, his brother Ken, former spouses Connie Padian and Carolyn Eckard, and step-grandson Stephen. He is survived by sons Robert N. Spence, Jr. (Robin H. Spence) of Greencastle, PA, and William P. Spence (Lisa S. Simons) of Baltimore, MD; step-daughter Tammy Rider (Eric) of Hagerstown, MD; grandchildren Meghan MacLauchlan, Emerson Spence, Hanna Spence, and Emma Spence; great grandchildren Ryan and Spence Highbarger, and Calla and Juliet MacLauchlan; step-granddaughter Jessica Green (Bill); step-great grandchildren Halligan and Aislynn Green and Starr Jenkins; and step-great great grandchildren Bryson and Khalani Jenkins-Wise.
Noel was a graduate of Hagerstown High School, class of 1952, having excelled in academics and on the football field. He received his BA from Washington and Lee University, then went on to the University of Maryland for his law degree. Over the course of his long career he worked in a variety of capacities related to the legal profession. After law school he did brief stints as an attorney in the Frederick office of Charles "Mac" Mathias and as a special agent for the FBI stationed in Newark, NJ, before returning to Hagerstown to enter private practice (for many years in partnership with Tom Kaylor). He also served two terms representing Washington County in the Maryland House of Delegates (1963-67) and worked as a Trial Magistrate (1967-69).
Having entered sobriety at the age of 50, he went on to live what became the happiest decades of his life, with new opportunities in his career, first as a prosecutor in the States Attorney's office, then as an Associate District Court Judge for Washington County until his mandatory retirement at age 70, after which he continued to work part time as a Visiting District Court Judge until the age of 82.
When Noel wasn't working, he enjoyed spending time with friends on the golf course, taking yearly trips with his buddies to the Carolinas to find the best courses. He was a gregarious soul who loved people and a good party, and never shied away from sharing his talent on the piano with friends and family, who were happy to sing along to the likes of "Shine on Harvest Moon" or "Tea for Two." His sons always appreciated his sense of humor, which might show up in the form of limericks involving someone from Nantucket, or in his preference on a Sunday morning to be found at the stove frying bacon, dressed in nothing but an apron, with a Bloody Mary and a cigarette close at hand.
He was a great lover of food, both preparing it and consuming it. He could wax rhapsodic about the details of a fine dining experience or even the virtues of a simple BLT (with crisp lettuce, perfectly ripe tomatoes, and just the right amount of mayonnaise), and once even credited his recovery in the hospital to an especially delicious turkey sandwich. To the end of his days he loved to describe, in great detail, anything he cooked, often referring to it, a bit facetiously, as the best thing he had ever tasted.
But Dad didn't just enjoy food for himself, he loved nothing more than sharing the table with his many friends and loved ones, whether at the large family reunions he and his wife Vicky threw, or going out to lunch with one or two close friends, or at the monthly retirement breakfasts for his colleagues from the district court. What really sustained him and gave him joy was the time he spent with the many people he cared about.
In his final years, when asked how he was doing, he would inevitably respond, "Older and crankier!" though anyone who spent time with him knew that, with age, he was simply becoming more gentle and kindhearted. His life was far from flawless, but to the end of his days he demonstrated what it means to learn and grow and change, having gained in later years a contentment and gratitude for life that was truly admirable.
A celebration of Noel's life will be held at Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home later this summer on a date to be announced.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.douglasfiery.com