Violet V. (Bergquist) Spencer

HOLDEN - Violet V. (Bergquist) Spencer of Holden, died Wednesday, July 23, 2014. She was the beloved wife of Harry I. Spencer, Jr., her husband of 63 years.

Vi is survived by her three children, Nancy E. Spencer and her life partner, Jerry Haynie of Lakewood, CO, Harry I. Spencer, III and his wife, Nancy of Rutland, Carol H. (Spencer) Wipper and husband, Scott of Concord; her four grandchildren, Erin Spencer and her husband, Ethan Caless, Laura Spencer, Michael Wipper and Emma-Sofia Wipper; a great-granddaughter, Alana Spencer Caless; eight nieces and several grand nieces and nephews; several cousins, including Stig Jacobsson; and other relatives in Sweden. Vi’s twin sister, Rose B. (Bergquist) Nelson, predeceased her in 2010.

Vi was born and grew up in Worcester, the daughter of Axel and Helen (Jacobsson) Bergquist, both from Sweden and has been a resident of Holden for 45 years. She attended Worcester schools and graduated from North High School. She worked for The Children’s Shop and the Massachusetts Protective Association (now Unum Group) before having her children.

For over 40 years, Vi spent summers with her husband and children at their camp on Lake Quaboag in Brookfield where they enjoyed boating, waterskiing, picnicking, fishing and family cookouts. Vi and Harry enjoyed 15 years of snow birding at Sand Key Beach, Florida, where she loved walking on the beach and attending dinner theater and major league baseball spring training games.

Vi enjoyed gardening, sewing, baking, crocheting, playing tennis, vacationing with her husband and children and celebrating her Swedish heritage during holidays, especially Christmas Eve. She was an avid Red Sox fan. Vi volunteered numerous hours for parent-teachers’ associations, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. She maintained countless lifelong friendships, especially with a group of childhood girlfriends and the KPC club, which continues to meet.

For over 60 years, Vi was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church where she was involved in women’s groups (Dorcas Circle), organizing church dinners and other events and working at the Carty Cupboard Food Pantry. She was a member of the YMCA Co-Wed Club and PEO.

Vi was a devoted wife, mother and friend and she will be missed greatly.

Calling hours will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A funeral service celebrating Vi's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 28, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 114 Main Street, Worcester followed by burial at the All Faiths Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Honor Fund at Wesley United Methodist Church, 114 Main Street, Worcester MA 01608. To share a memory or offer an online condolence please visit our "guest book" on this page.