Linda Marie Spencer

Bartlesville resident, Linda Marie Spencer - affectionately known as “La-La” or “Leech” to family and old friends - passed away May 9, 2026 at the hospice Journey Home in Dewey after an extended illness. Born in Pawhuska, Oklahoma August 12, 1952, as the second of eight children, Linda spent her early life in the big family chaos until becoming a 1970 graduate of Pawhuska High. From there, Linda joined her older sister Judy at Southeastern State College in Durant, stepped away to work for funds, then returned to earn a BA in Music Education. Linda was an accomplished guitarist and pianist with a lush, sorrowful alto voice, and her talents were displayed in recorded works and albums for others. She was a featured performer in the Southeastern show band “the Corvettes” alongside Reba McIntire and others. Linda may have been a finalist at the state fair competition, but her home concerts for any visitors is how she will best be musically remembered by family. Although none of her own, Linda’s inspiration was children, and this showed in her teaching of music in Barnsdall Schools for many years and spending time with younger siblings canoeing, camping, playing sports, and teaching them to drive at a far-too-early age. She was noted for her patience, understanding, and inspiration with kids, but that didn’t always translate to adults. With her formative years in the 1960’s, Linda was a strong advocate for equality and fairness. Although shy in some social settings, she was vocal and tough in many aspects of her life toward others. Linda was the tomboy-musician that could angelically sing while playing guitar then be toe to toe with any man or beast she felt was being cross or disrespectful. Siblings are remembered telling bullies that they were going home to get “sister” to handle them. And Linda did. Linda played adult league softball in Pawhuska, was a skilled pressman for the Pawhuska Daily Journal Capital, made custom furniture in Sudan, KS, then moved in with her aging mother in Bartlesville to assist. After a destructive bought of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and small stroke, Linda’s abilities diminished, and she spent her final years with mom and daughter helping each other until her mother’s passing in 2021. Linda was preceded in death by her father Frank LeRoy Spencer, mother Isla Mae Klatka Spencer, and brother Gregory Spencer. She is survived by siblings Judith Spencer Vaughn and Donald Vaughn of Lake Helen, Florida; Mark Spencer and Diana of Bixby, their children Julia and son Jeremy of Tulsa, and Jessica Spencer and spouse Deana Price of Tulsa along with their five children Ella, James, Maya, Ila, and Emerson; Margaret Bouvier of Bartlesville and daughter Dr. Heather St Peter and husband Dr. Bryan Gawley of Scottsdale, Arizona; Gregory Spencer’s children Steven Spencer of Kansas City, daughter Kathryn and spouse David Chambers and their children Rhian, Elizabeth, Elizabeth of Chambers Cross C Ranch; and Mary Bernadette Spencer and BJ Hargrave of Vermont and Bernie’s son Spencer Horseman and wife Nicole of Baltimore; John Spencer of Forsyth, Missouri and four children Sarah of St. Louis, Allie of Shreveport, Louisiana, Anderson of Portland, Oregon, and Kilian of Branson, Missouri; and Linda’s youngest sibling Eric Spencer and partner Gerard Cloete of Cape Town, South Africa. A memorial mass will be held in the summer when families can make the journey to Bartlesville to say farewell.

Linda Marie Spencer

August 12, 1952 - May 9, 2026