Andrea Spencer

Andrea Jean Spencer went to be with the Creator on Saturday November 9, 2019. Andrea was born on May 21, 1952 in Toppenish, WA to Delbert and Louise (Olney) Nagle. She was an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation Tribe. Andrea was a 1971 graduate of White Swan High School where she participated on the White Swan Cougars Cheerleading squad and on the Track team. Andrea in her earlier years of life, resided in Portland, Oregon where she lived a full life with her parents, siblings and cousins. As a loving family, they shared years of memories which she loved to share with her children and grandchildren. Andrea married Howard “Tony” Spencer at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in White Swan on October 16, 1971. Tony was her husband and best friend. As Tony would tell the story to the grandchildren, Andrea married the hunk of White Swan. They shared a beautiful and loving 33 years of marriage. Andrea began a 46-year career with the Yakama Nation Tribe in 1971 with the Branch of Forestry and was later promoted to the Yakama Nation Department of Natural Resources Administration, where she retired from in December 2017 as the DNR Assistant Superintendent. During her employment she made many lifetime friendships and served her Tribe. She was an advocate for all employees of the Yakama Nation. She trained many DNR staff members in bookkeeping, management and the policies of the Yakama Nation. She also assisted on the Yakama Nation Compensation Board which reviewed human resources policies and compensation packages for employees. Andrea was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her greatest endeavor was when she became a mother and grandmother. Her lifetime mission was to care for her family and assist them in staying connected and helping them when needed. Her hobbies included supporting Tony in rodeos, work and family trips to Reno and the YN Closed Area. She always looked forward to her annual trips to the Oregon Coast with her grandchildren. Andrea supported her children and grandchildren in their school functions, extra-curricular activities, and employment and business ventures. She traveled throughout the Northwest to cheer for her grandchildren in many sporting events. Her life revolved around family. She enjoyed reading, family trips, family dinners and teaching her granddaughters how to cook for the family. Thanksgiving dinner was always at Grandma Andrea’s house. Andrea is survived by sons, Ryan (Tanya) Spencer of White Swan, WA and Royce Spencer of Missoula, MT; daughter Jessica (Shawn) Spencer of Toppenish, WA; five grandsons, Tristan (Shelby) Spencer of Toppenish, WA, Anthony Spencer of Lewiston, ID, Jonas and Jayd’n Scabby Robe of Toppenish, WA, Chance Spencer of White Swan, WA; two granddaughters, Leah (William) Vivette of Wapato, WA and Evelyn (Kyle) Hawk of Harrah, WA; and one great-granddaughter, Arya Vivette of Wapato, WA; one brother, Gordan Nagle of White Swan, WA and one sister, Regina Tana Olney and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family members. She was in preceded in death by her husband, Tony Spencer, parents Delbert and Louise Nagle, brother Tom Nagle, nephew Bobby Nagle and niece Karissa Nagle. The family would like to thank the Yakima Hospice for their care for Andrea and Support of the family. The family would also like to give a special thanks to our family nurse, Shelby Clark for caring for Andrea. Viewing will be 4:00 to 6:00 pm Wednesday November 13, 2019 at Valley Hills Funeral Home in Wapato, followed by Recitation of Rosary at 6:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am Thursday November 14, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in White Swan. Burial will be 11:00 am at Reservation Community Memorial Park of Wapato. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Andrea Spencer, please visit our flower store.