SPENCER, Jacqueline Edith (nee Gunion),

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jacqueline Edith Spencer (Gunion) on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at the age of 87, after residing for several months at Extendicare Hamilton, where she was given great care, and for which we are tremendously grateful. Better known as Jackie, she was a loving wife to George, loving Mother to Roy (Joanna) and Todd (Wendy), loving Grammy to Chloe and Sam, loving friend to so many, and special dog-Grammy to Auggie.

Born in Hamilton on January 8, 1937, she was the only child of John and Bernice Gunion. Jackie lost her mom at a young age, was raised by her dad, and was fortunate to have special cousins in her life who became as close as siblings. She worked as a switchboard operator at Hamilton Hydro before meeting George. They married in 1959, and would have celebrated 65 years of marriage this September.

Jackie had a wonderful life with George, enjoying road trips together, along with family vacations to Killbear Provincial Park and Newfoundland. Later in life, they took a cruise to Alaska, several trips to Florida, and cruises along both the Rideau and Trent canals. Jackie also enjoyed a big adventure with George to Hong Kong and China in 1998, where she walked on The Great Wall. An especially memorable trip was a month-long drive in September of 2001 from Hamilton to Vancouver Island with close friends Ron and Shirley Zavitz. Other special friends included Marg Brown and Jim and Bunny Cairns.

Jackie resumed working when her boys were older, taking a job as a physiotherapy assistant at West End Physio, where she was popular with both colleagues and patients.

Jackie was a kind, generous and loving soul, with a beautiful innocence about her. But she also had a mischievous side, and a sharp-edged wit, always eliciting laughs from those around her.

Jackie put her family first, and especially loved the Christmas holiday season. She never stopped baking or knitting, just two examples of the many ways she expressed her kindness and love for others. Jackie had many friends at St. Andrew’s United Church, through activities like the Busy Fingers knitting club, and through volunteer activities such as leading Beavers and Cubs.

As a wife and mother, she made a wonderful home for George, Roy and Todd. She extended her love and kindness to daughters-in-law Joanna and Wendy. For 20 years, she was the world’s best Grammy to Chloe and then to Sam. And when Auggie came along, she loved having a puppy back in her life.

Jackie loved and was loved by many. And she will be deeply missed.

Cremation has taken place, and visitation will be at M.A. Clark and Sons Funeral Home at 567 Upper Wellington in Hamilton on Sunday August 11th from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm. A celebration of life will take place at St. Andrew’s United Church at 479 Upper Paradise in Hamilton on Monday at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the charity of your choice.