Natasha Spence

IN MEMORIAM NATASHA LEONORA SPENCE, POET – (1980 – 2015) Natasha “ItsRealLight” Leonora Spence (Light), also known as “Tasha,” was unexpectedly called home on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Light passed away peacefully at the age of 34 while resting at the home of her dear friend. Light came into the world on September 17, 1980. She is survived by her mother, Laverne Spence Moore, her father, Augustine Castillo, and her stepfather, Steve Moore. Light is also survived by her maternal uncle, and adopted father, Carlisle A. Spence, and her adopted mother, Glenys P. Spence. Also mourning her loss are her natural siblings, Quiana Diana Balogun, Nakeya Spence, and Gregory Moore; her adopted siblings: Terence R. Spence, Andre Raffique Glasgow, Caliese A. Spence, and Jamal A. Spence. Light leaves behind a large extended family. Also sharing in this bereavement are her half-siblings: Khalem Castillo, Naeimah Castillo, her aunts, Rosita Spence, Jacqueline Charles, and Sylvia Spence, her uncle, Kirjath A. Spence, her nephews, Mosi Ayo Spence, and Mason Anthony Rodriguez, Bret Houston, and, niece, Nia Houston. Finally, she will be sorely missed by her beloved cousins, Kareema L. Parker, Octavia Spence, Orline Houston, Bernard Alexis, Sharell Alexis, Branden Alexis, Sean Alexis, and Quadir Spence. She is pre-deceased by her loving grandparents, Samuel Spence and Elista Spence. Light also touched the lives of many family friends and other extended family members who join us in mourning her loss. Natasha began her education at PS 106 in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York, and completed her early education at the Linden and Excelsior Seventh Day Adventist Schools in New York. She was a member of the Far Rockaway Seventh Day Adventist Church in New York, and the Park Hill Seventh Day Adventist Church in Denver, Colorado. She moved to Aurora, Colorado in 1992 with her adopted parents, Carlisle and Glenys Spence, and continued her education at ThunderRidge Middle School, and Eaglecrest High School in Aurora, Colorado. At these schools, she excelled in all subjects, particularly, French, Drama and Theatre. She served on the Editorial Board of the 1997-98 Eagle Crest Yearbook. After graduating from Eagle Crest High School, Light enrolled in Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, and after one year in Alabama continued her education at The Community College of Aurora, where she continued to study and hone her craft in the Performing Arts. She also played the piano. Later, Light moved back to New York to work with a community of artists to practice her craft of the spoken word. She has worked with many poets of note, including Mos Def and Malcolm Jamal Warner. Light was a prolific writer, and composer. The spoken word was the vehicle for her creativity. Her work includes CD recordings and books of poetry. Among them are: The Harriet Tubman Complex, and Thirty Days of Light. Light’s creativity was also well demonstrated in the kitchen. Her chicken and waffles were a great hit. She was a true entrepreneur and visionary, and was tirelessly engaged in the creative process even throughout her illness. Light was on a mission to change the consciousness of the world. She believed in change. Hers was a life well-lived because she followed her dreams. She was loved by everyone who knew her. Light is at rest at the Cusimano & Russo Funeral Home, located at 2005 W. 6th St., Brooklyn, NY 11223, phone: 718-372-1348. To celebrate her life, a Wake will be held on Wednesday, June 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. at 1430 St. Marks Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. Light will make her final journey home on Thursday, June 18 at 9:00 a.m. at the Trinity Apostolic Church, 967 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn New York. The burial will be at the Nassau Knolls in Port Washington, Long Island, where she will be reunited with her beloved grandparents, Samuel and Elista Spence. To all of you who remember “Light” or “Tasha,” our family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of donations, phone calls, and emotional support.