Margaret Ileen Spicer

Margaret I. Spicer, 87, formerly of Mechanicsville, Virginia passed away peacefully on January 26, 2020. Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Margaret was preceded in death by parents, Walter and Edith Spicer; sister, Anne Louise; and brothers, Robert, Edward and Fred. She is survived by sisters, Barbara Spicer of Midlothian and Joan Rokes of Ipswich, Massachusetts; and brother, Malcolm Spicer of Richmond. She is also survived by 21 nieces and nephews, and numerous great nieces and nephews across the country. A proud and patriotic veteran, Margaret enlisted in the Women’s Air Corp of the United States Air Force in 1950 and served as an Inventory Management Specialist, an Air Force recruiter, and a First Sergeant during her 24-year career. She retired from Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii and continued work as a Federal employee in supply logistics for another 20 years. She golfed with and lived among many friends in Waianae, Hawaii where “Sarge” was an active member of the American Legion, the West Oahu Federal Credit Union Board, the Waianae Neighborhood Board, the Waianae High School PTA and as proprietor of the Lobby Shop in the Hawaiian Princess in Makaha. Visiting Aunt Margie in Hawaii became a rite of passage for her nieces and nephews. Margaret returned to the mainland in 1997 to enjoy her retirement and be closer to family. She enjoyed cooking and feeding people, so helped friends by volunteering at food and beer festivals. She had many friends at the Ashland Moose Lodge where most of the world’s problems were solved over a Miller Lite. For the last five years she lived in the Armed Forces Retirement Home, the “Old Soldier’s Home,” in Washington, D.C. While leading the way for other women to serve in the military, Margaret never married or had children because the terms of her service prohibited it. Wonderful friends filled much of the space in her life. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, February 24 at the Atlee Chapel of Woody Funeral Home, 9271 Shady Grove Road in Mechanicsville, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Derek Hines Soldiers Assistance Fund honoring Margaret’s great nephew who died in 2005 while serving his country as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan, at www.derekhinesfund.com.