Jean Ellen Spence

1947 - 2025

Jean Ellen Spence of Rock Hall, Maryland passed away on September 10, 2025, at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center in Chestertown. She was 78 years old.

Jean was born on January 10, 1947, in Rock Hall, the daughter of the late Andrew John Powhida and Amy Rosalie (Higgins) Powhida. She graduated from Rock Hall High School, with the Class of 1965. In May of that same year, she married the late Jerry Cameron Spence, who preceded her in death, in 2023.

Jean spent many years as a bookkeeper. In that role, for the Washington College Dining Services, she facilitated baccalaureate study and degrees for her daughters, Holly and Debbie. She also worked at H&R Block, Chestertown Lumber Company and LaMotte Chemical Company. Even in her retirement, Jean processed tax returns for many of her friends and family, as well as helping whoever needed it, with administrative tasks.

Jean loved her community and throughout her lifetime, she was involved in The Rock Hall Alumni Association, Parks and Recreation, Relay for Life and Hidden Treasures, to name a few. The only thing Jean loved more than helping others, was getting a good bargain; she was the Queen of yard sales, thrift stores and the clearance aisle at Walgreens. Her favorite day of the year was the 4th of July, and if you showed up for the annual fireworks the night before, she would make sure you participated in singing The National Anthem and reciting The Pledge of Allegiance.

Jean was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and a friend to everyone she met. In addition to her parents and husband Jerry, she was preceded in death by her daughter Holly Short, her sister Pat Hastings, and her best friend, Bootsie Bell.

She is survived by her daughter Debbie Spence (who referred to her as "Momma Jeannie"] grandchildren Megan Esper (Taylor), Jamie Short, Cameron Spence and Jordan Short; great-grandchildren (who lovingly referred to her as "Old People Mommom"] Caleb, Levi and Saylor; sisters Rebecca Glenn (Bobby) and Karen May (Joe); brother, John Powhida; beloved in-laws Candy and Kenny Hausenfluck and Peggy-Sue and Larry Stickley ; special daughter Stephanie Balderrama, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Rock Hall will certainly never be the same, without Jean Spence, who served as the Grand Marshall of the 2025 Rock Hall 4th of July Parade.

Please consider making a donation in Jean's name to Compass Regional Hospice and Camp New Dawn, both at 160 Coursevall Drive, Centreville, MD 21617, or to The Rock Hall Fire Company, P.O. Box 577, Rock Hall, MD 21661.

Services will be held October 11, 2025, at 1pm where friends and family may gather two hours prior from 11 am until 1 pm at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home Chestertown, Md.