Sharlene Ann Spencley

The most amazing person and the matriarch of our family left us in the early evening of Feb 23, 2023. Sharlene Ann Spencley was a dedicated wife, twin-sister, aunt, cousin and friend, but most importantly she was a mother and grandmother whose unconditional love and uninhibited affection had no boundaries. Though we will never be able to tell her how much we love her in person again, the love she gave will last us forever.

Sharlene was born Sep 25, 1942 and grew up in Mackinaw City, Michigan, the daughter of James “Bun” and Eleanor Marshall, with her twin sister Darlene (Borths).  Dar and Shar were inseparable until the very end. The old Mackinaw Pointe Lighthouse in Mackinaw City, where her father was born, was a constant theme in our lives and in retrospect, our mother always served as that beacon to her family.  A safe-haven we could always sail to when the waters of life grew choppy.

If you knew Shar, you knew her kids, grand kids, and great grand kids were her greatest joy and we all knew the blessing we were given. She was happiest when the chaos and laughter of her large family would fill the house.  At family get togethers when the euchre/pinochle games ran late, she was always the last one to go to bed as she savored every moment of her family being home.

We gratefully shared our mother with so many kids along the way either through her days as a childcare provider, her years spent as a foster parent to kids in need, or just the love she would give the many friends we brought to the house over the years. 

If everyone loved kids half as much as our mom did, there wouldn’t be a lonely child anywhere.  She had a huge heart and a hug that could comfort the world.  And she would give that hug to anyone who wanted or needed it. 

As she suffered from Alzheimer’s during her last year, her courage and strength to fight the disease every single day was truly inspirational.  She never gave up and even in the waning days of her struggle, she never lost the ability to squeeze out a heartfelt “Hi Honey” or “I love you”.

Sharlene is survived by her husband Gary who stood beside her for 56 years, her twin sister Darlene (Mike) Borths, her kids Scott, Mel, Dean, Lynn, Jamey, Darsi, and Shandra, and more grandkids, great grandkids, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends than we could possibly name.  She is preceded in death by her kids David and Paul who will be glad to see her. We are truly sorry we cannot name everyone. 

We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to come and express their love and affection for her or took the time to write her sweet notes of encouragement through a long hard battle. A special thanks to the incredible CNA’s, Nurses and staff members at Boulder Park Terrace who gave her comfort, care, and friendship in her final days and therefore became a part of our family.  We cannot thank you enough for your compassion and genuine love for our mother.   

And lastly, our mother would’ve wanted to leave you all with her favorite saying…..“I Love You More”. 

A celebration of Sharlene’s life will be held later this summer. 

If you would like, donations can be made in Sharlene’s honor to the Dave Thomas Foundation https://www.davethomasfoundation.org/ which helps find forever families for children in foster care or the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/nca/donate (or charity of your choice).

Arrangements have been handled by the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.