Margaret Kathryn (Conrad) Spence, affectionately known as Kathy, was born on October 13, 1944, and passed away peacefully on December 29, 2024, at the age of 80. She is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, Robert (Bob) L. Spence, and their three loving children: Carolyn A. Saylor (Jim L. Saylor), Carl C. Spence (Nathan P. Carson), and Rebecca M. Spence (Richard H. Scudney). She was the proud grandmother of Caitlin E. Scharer, Isaac S. Spence, Ethan A. Spence, Betty G. Scudney, Kip W. Scudney, and her step-grandchildren  Alex  Saylor, Tawni R. Saylor and Cory M. Saylor.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest M. Conrad and Kathyrn J. Conrad, and her only sibling, Judith C. (Conrad) Hinkle.

Kathy’s love story began at 14 when she met Bob, her life partner. They graduated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle in 1962 and married in 1964 when Kathy was 19. Kathy earned a BA in History and Education from the University of Washington in 1966, where she was an active member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.

Kathy and Bob moved often during the early years of their marriage, including Quantico, VA when Bob joined the US Marine Corps and to San Clemente, CA when he was stationed at Camp Pendleton. During Bob’s deployment to Vietnam, Kathy returned to her parent’s home in Seattle. In 1969, the couple was reunited and lived in Longview, WA. In 1977 they moved to Puyallup, WA where they lived for 42 years. They frequently traveled to Palm Springs and San Clemente, California in their retirement. Kathy made friends everywhere she went and created lifelong friendships that lasted her entire life.

Kathy was a driving force in the community. A lifelong member of the Girl Scouts from her youth to serving as a Girl Scout leader for over 23 years, she touched the lives of countless young women. She was an active member of the Presbyterian Church in Puyallup, WA, contributing to numerous church and volunteer efforts, including helping to feed the homeless and volunteering for New Beginnings when they moved to Puyallup. Kathy helped found the Puyallup Valley branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and her involvement with organizations like Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) reflected her deep commitment to education and philanthropy. In addition, Kathy served on the Board at Good Samaritan Hospital where she played a pivotal role in founding the Children’s Therapy unit.

An Avid lover of the outdoors, Kathy enjoyed hiking and nature, often spending time with friends in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and Southern California. She instilled a passion for music in her children, having played the piano and the guitar in her youth. She was an enthusiastic reader and participated in several book clubs. Kathy’s love for gardening and flowers passed down from her parents, remained a lifelong joy. Kathy could often be found playing cards and scrabble with her friends and family and this was an important method for her to keep her brain sharp in the last few years. Most of all, she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, who were the light of her life.

Known for her empathetic nature, Kathy had the remarkable ability to listen without judgment and make you feel like you were the most important person in the world. Her generous spirit and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Kathy’s strength was evident in her 36-year battle with breast cancer, which she faced with courage and resilience, and her support of many others who faced the same battle. Even in her final days, her greatest concern was for the well-being of her friends and family. Kathy’s legacy of love, kindness, and community service will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate to know her and will live on in the hearts of those she touched.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Farm 12 in Puyallup, WA on Sunday Jan 19. Welcome reception/social hour and light appetizers from 5- 6 pm. Please arrive by 5:45 for the presentation at 6 pm, follow by dinner at 6:45 and an opportunity to share stories about this wonderful human. The event will end around 8:30. If you have a photo of yourself and Kathy that you would like to bring and share for a scrapbook we will be making, we would love it!

In place of flowers, donations in Kathy’s memory may be made to Mary Bridge Children's Foundation or Breast Cancer Research. https://www.marybridge.org/su…

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