Jean M. (DeMauro) Spencer, 100

Jean M. Spencer nee DeMauro, age 100, passed away peacefully at home on December 17, 2023.

Jean was born to James and Tina DeMauro on April 4, 1923 and was a lifelong resident of Ellwood City. Jean was married for 68 years to William A. Spencer who passed away on December 14, 2011.

Family, community service and food were the most important things in life to Jean. Those interests were not mutually exclusive. Jean and her husband were partners in the DeMauro & Spencer Market on Lawrence Avenue in Ellwood City where they worked alongside many family members of different generations. After the market closed in 1972, Jean was one of the founders of RMJ Catering achieving great success in Lawrence and Beaver Counties. Jean lent her culinary and managerial skills to many charitable causes. If there was a church or civic function in Ellwood City, it was very likely that Jean and her cohort of volunteers fed the attendees who looked forward to the hand cooked food. For more than three decades, Jean managed a volunteer staff of cafeteria workers who provided the daily lunch program at Purification BVM (later Holy Redeemer) School. Jean ran the food service at Holy Redeemer’s annual bazaar for thousands of attendees and was also a member of Christian Mothers. In 2008, Jean and her husband received the St. Mary Zucca Education Foundation Spirit of Service Award. Jean continued her volunteer work until her mid 70’s.

Jean was famous for her red sauce and meatballs. Her food was enjoyed by everyday joes and dignitaries. Many people asked for her recipes, but Jean only revealed her culinary secrets to select confidantes.

An avid bowler and golfer, Jean participated in numerous state bowling tournaments to acclaim in the 1960’s and 70’s. She started golfing in her 40s during the 1960’s when prime tee times were not available to women which displeased her. She was a lifelong advocate of equal pay for women in the LPGA. Jean remained an avid golf spectator until her death and particularly enjoyed watching Tiger Woods.

Jean is survived by many descendants including: her three children, Cheryl (Robert) Sheen of Ellwood City, William (Kimberly) Spencer of Ellwood City, and James Spencer (Michael Lin) of Pittsburgh; Five grandchildren, Kimberly Sheen and Kevin (Elisa) Sheen, Michaela Spencer, Alessandra Spencer and Jean Li Spencer; four great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Jean was preceded in death by two brothers, Frank (Viola) DeMauro and John (Vera) DeMauro, and four sisters Elizabeth (FJ) Bellissimo, Rose (John) Minnocci, Mary Verone Kocevar (John) and Edith (Kenneth) Alben.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Redeemer Church located at 415 4th St, Ellwood City, PA 16117 on Saturday, December 23. Visitation at the church will start at 10:30AM and the funeral mass will start at 11:00AM. Entombment in Saint Peter’s Mausoleum will be private. Christian Mothers are asked to meet at the church by 10:45 AM to form the honor guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Jean’s memory to Holy Redeemer Food Pantry/Divine Grace Parish Social Services or to any other organization that provides food to those in need.

The family would like to thank Dr. David A. Nace of the UPMC Geriatric Center for his years of compassion and extraordinary care for Jean. They are also grateful to Jean’s caregivers who tended to her with love and devotion for many years: Denise Whiteside, Leah Perez, Jodi Rader and Ashley Reich.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Joseph A. Tomon, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 97 Grim Avenue, Ellport.