Edith Leola Spicer (nee Howlett), age 97, previously of Topsfield, died peacefully June 16 with hospice aid at All American Assisted Living in Hanson, MA. She lived her life with grace, humility, kindness and gratitude and was loved by everyone who knew her.
Born in the Linden Highlands section of Malden in 1923, beautiful Edie and her twin Edna were the fourth and fifth of George and Minnie Howlett’s eight children. After Malden High School, Edie worked at New England Mutual Life Insurance Company, walking to Linden Square and taking MTA bus and train to Copley Square in Boston.
In 1942, Edie met handsome Jack Spicer at an Episcopal convention in New Hampshire. They married a year later in Alabama while Jack was in basic training in the U.S. Army Air Force. When Jack shipped to Italy as a transport pilot, Edie returned to the Howlett Homestead with baby Jill until the war ended. Then the family, now including Joan, moved to Saugus near G.E.s Lynn Turbine Plant where Jack worked as a draftsman.
Early in the 1950s, when Captain Jack Spicer was recalled by the Air Force, Edie moved the family to Brooklyn. Jack became Provost Marshal at Bennett Air Field.
Jack and Edie returned to Massachusetts and G.E. in 1953. Sons Jack Clayton and Jeffrey Walton were born in 1957 and 1961 when they lived in Lynn. The family of six moved to Topsfield in 1962, and were active in Trinity Episcopal Church and many civic and charitable activities.
When Jack retired from G.E., the couple turned their candle-making hobby into a business, Candles by Jack on Route 1 in Topsfield.
After 46 happy years of marriage, Jack died in 1988. Edie became even more active in her church, an herb group, and the Topsfield Historical Society. She was the mainstay of a walking club and many support groups. She also worked part time at a business which distributed Bristol Sweaters.
At age 83, Edie sold the Topsfield home and moved to an apartment in Topsfield’s Littlebrook Village. Her 90th birthday was celebrated by over fifty extended family and friends. A few years later, Edie moved to All American Assisted Living in Hanson, MA to be closer to son Jeff’s family in Whitman.
Edie is survived by children Jill Stolpestad of Aurora, IL, Joan Spicer of Santa Cruz, CA, Jeffrey and Carol Spicer of Whitman, MA and daughter-in-law Janet Spicer of Ipswich; grandchildren Eric Stolpestad, Nancy Conrad, Joshua and Lily Spicer, Maximilian and Coco Spicer; great grandchildren Nicole Conrad, Claire and Chase Stolpestad; sister Marion Maxwell of Acton, MA; and scores of loving nieces and nephews and their extended families.
Edie was pre-deceased by husband Jack, son Jack Clayton, her parents and six of the eight siblings: George, Warren, Walter and Richard Howlett, Ruth Howlett, twin sister Edna Dodge, son-in-law Norman Stolpestad and grandson Jacob Conrad.
A Memorial and Burial Service will be held in July for extended family and friends at Trinity Episcopal Church in Topsfield.
Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 124 River Road, Topsfield, MA 01983 in lieu of flowers.