Alice Spangler

In loving memory of Mary Alice Spangler, our mother. Alice Spangler was born Mary Thompson-Allen, in London, England, on August 7, 1932, a Sunday. She passed away January 24, 2024, following a short illness.

Alice grew up in London, during World War II—from the battle of Britain to the V.E. Parade at Buckingham Palace. At age 5, after her father Aubry read her “Alice in Wonderland,” she asked him and her new mum “JoJo” if she may change her name to Alice. They agreed, followed by a celebration at a popular restaurant, just off Piccadilly Circus, with Peach Melbas. It was official, she was Alice.

At age 16, Alice’s parents along with little sister, Natalie, and baby brother, Nicholas, sailed on board the HMS Mauritania, settling in New Haven, CT. Ten years later, the whole family became naturalized American citizens. She is survived by her sister, Natalie, along with Natalie’s two sons, Adam and Crispian Covell, and their families; and her brother, Nicholas, and his wife, Gail.

After graduating from Simmons College in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree, Alice set off cross-country to San Francisco. Her mother bought her a round-trip ticket, only to have Alice cash in the trip back. Brave and independent, she wasn’t yet ready. In fact, she did stay, working as a librarian and a window dresser for a department store. It was there that she met her future husband, David Spangler.

Returning to New Haven, Alice and David were married on June 25, 1956, at Dwight Chapel, Yale (where Alice’s father was curator of the organs). They were married 63 years. David preceded her in death in July 2019.

David worked for the foreign service, so the couple moved abroad and were stationed in Cambodia, Thailand, and India. While abroad, they had two children, Sarah Rebecca and Nicholas. Sadly, Rebecca also preceded Alice in death at age 3 ½ from cancer. Alice is survived by her son, Nicholas, his wife Mickie; his two children, Paige (wife, Racheal) and Lane; stepson, Patrick, and his wife, Alisa, their son, Callum, stepson, Josh (wife, Maddie), and their two sons, Keats and Guthrie.

When the couple returned to the U.S., they moved to Arlington, VA, where they had their third child, Elisabeth (Liz), and settled five years later in Washington, DC. Alice is survived by daughter Liz, along with her son, James Haley, James’s wife, Kelsey, and their newest addition, Alice’s great-granddaughter, Addison Lee.

Not sure if it was a conscious choice or just the times, but lucky for her children, Alice was a stay-at-home mom. She was the constant in their lives. She also had many hobbies, including gardening, sewing, knitting, birdwatching, sports, theater, and church; and she volunteered her time tutoring and working at the National Archives in Washington, DC.

In 1966, Alice and David discovered Chincoteague Island First Vacations, then summers, then home. Upon retirement, it was there that they opened an antique store, Reflections on the Creek.

In 2013, they moved to Onancock. Though Alice missed much of her life on Chincoteague, she quickly came to love Onancock. There she enjoyed meeting new people, participating in activities at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, walking, gardening, visiting with neighbors, and being in the company of her kitty, “Lucy.”

Alice especially loved the beach at Assateague and boat trips to the barrier islands. Even as her mobility declined, she would never turn down the opportunity to be on the water or at the beach. She often declared it to be her favorite place in the world. The sound of the waves or the salt spray as she sat in the bow of the boat was described in her words: “lovely.”

Alice (Mum) will be remembered as kind, unselfish, and brave—never asking for much and appreciating everything that came her way.

We love you, Mum. Till we see you again…

We must now recommend her soul to its creator, and its mortal remains to the earth (Book of Romans).

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 338, Onancock, VA 23417, Emmanual Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 186, Oak Hall, VA 23416, or Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (https://stjude.org/donate).

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Onancock, with Father Ed Hunt officiating. A reception will follow.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.

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