Diane C. Spencer

Diane C. Spencer, 96, of Guilderland, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2025. Born on March 24, 1929, in Stamford, Connecticut, she was the daughter of the late Armand and Blanche Violette. Diane was married for over 50 years to her husband, Stanley Spencer (who predeceased her in 2002), and together they raised seven children. The family moved to Guilderland in 1966, where Diane remained in the family home until shortly before her passing.

In addition to raising her family, Diane built a successful career with the New York State Department of Tax and Finance, retiring as a Supervisor in 1998. She embraced retirement wholeheartedly, spending time with family and friends, traveling the world, and fostering her many interests.

Diane lived a long life filled with curiosity, energy, and joy. Always fit and active, she played tennis into her mid-eighties and amazed everyone with her grace as an ice skater well into that same decade. She was a devoted Bridge player and an avid traveler, exploring much of the world, yet her heart always returned to Cape Cod, where she loved hosting family vacations.

Her days were rich with activity: tending her gardens, taking classes at the gym, sewing and quilting, working through crossword puzzles, and pursuing her lifelong love of reading. Diane always stayed informed on world events and never lost her intellectual spark that was loved by all who knew her.

She also loved cooking and baking, and took pride in bringing family and friends together around the table. This passion was passed down to her children, all of whom share her love of food and hospitality. Beyond her home, Diane gave generously of her time as an Ambassador Volunteer at the Albany Airport, warmly welcoming travelers, and by reading to school children, sharing her joy of learning.

Diane cherished her friends and neighbors, enjoying countless wine-and-cheese gatherings and social occasions. With her quick wit and wonderful sense of humor, she could always deliver the perfectly timed remark that lifted the room in laughter.

Above all, she treasured her family. A devoted mother of seven, loving grandmother of six, and proud great-grandmother of three, she was the heart and anchor of her family, fiercely dedicated, steady, and strong through every season of life. To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was affectionately known as “Gigi,” a name that captured the unconditional love and energy that she gave to her family.

Her life reflected vitality, intellect, integrity, compassion, creativity, and joy, qualities that inspired, uplifted, and comforted all who knew her.

Diane was predeceased by her parents, Armand and Blanche; her husband, Stanley; her sisters, Dee and Joan; her brother, Donald; her grandchild, Elliot; and her son-in-law, Tom Manifase. She is survived by her sister, Joy McCabe; her children, Drue Spencer, Lisa Vipiana, Stephen Spencer, Andra Spencer, Amy Manifase, Christopher Spencer, and Nicole Spencer; her grandchildren, Ryan Manifase, Julia Otter, Erin Manifase, Zachary Spencer, Olivia Spencer, and Christopher Spencer; and her great-grandchildren, Brooks Otter, Lucy Otter, and Emma Manifase.

The family extends deep gratitude to the nurses and hospice staff at St. Peter’s Hospital for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Diane’s memory to St. Peter’s Community Hospice.