We just learned about Rina's passing and feel very sad. 
It was a great pleasure to share with Rina and Gary their enthusiasm in visiting places such as Palermo, Capri and assisting to concerts at the Palais Princier of Monaco. 
We are glad we had the opportunity to develop a precious personal relationship that will remain in our memories.
We do miss Rina and present our deepest condolences to Gary and the family.
Anna and Michel Leemans

I'm so sorry to hear of Rina's passing. My husband and I had the honor and privilege to cook for Rina and her husband, Gary, for a year before the pandemic. To say there is no one like her is an understatement. She would come into the kitchen while we were cooking and we would talk about everything from casual day to day items to big, in depth and personal conversations. I will cherish those memories forever. She will be greatly missed. Sending love to her family and all that knew her. 

I met Rina when she married my cousin Harry Spence, so many years ago.  I am so very sad to hear of her death. I just loved Rina, and would have loved to see her again. But her two beautiful and wonderful children and their families are here to keep her with the world.  With deepest condolences to Rina's entire family.

Holly McLennan Ketron

I was saddened to hear of Rina's passing, but I remember her fondly. We met when I was CEO of the YWCA in Boston.  Rina was one of the women we looked to for guidance, support, and inspiration.  She never missed an opportunity to offer sage advice and encouraging words.   While I haven't seen her in some time,  I shall never forget her willingness to be a supporter of female leadership.  Her unique ability to look beyond her immediate circle to broaden women's influence in Boston was amazing.  My deepest condolences to her family.  She will be fondly remembered.

Rina was a great success in the US financial services industry which has traditionally been overseen almost exclusively by men. A "minority person" in such an industry can choose whether to maximize the benefits of minority status for herself in a selfish, if not ruthless,  manner or to use her position in subtle skillful ways to enhance the prospects of others. Rina was very much in the latter camp. While she was kind, respectful and helpful in all her affairs, it was understood that a deserving woman in Rina's sphere of influence had a trusted friend and mentor in "high places". Rina was smart, reliable, dignified even elegant; but her willingness to help others is a quality that makes this gem of a human being shine brightest in my memories. Until we meet again...

Rina was a colleague and friend to the Entire Board of Trustees for the State Street and SSGA Funds complex. Her work ethic and devotion to her fiduciary duties were unsurpassed. It was a sincere pleasure to work with Rina and on behalf of the Board and the shareholders that Rina served well for many years we offer our sincere condolences to Gary and the family. Rina's sharp intellect and insight will be missed but her friendly personality and kindness, even more. Her thoughtfulness and professionalism will be remembered fondly.
Rest in Peace my Colleague and Dear Friend Pat Riley and Mike Holland Chairmen

Rina was always a consummate professional in all our years together, but far more important, she was always a wonderful and true friend. I shall miss her dearly. 
Deepest condolences to Gary and the family. 


On behalf of the Embassy of Monaco in Washington, D.C., and Monaco's  North American consular corps, I offer deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to Gary and Rina's family. 
Rina was a bright, dedicated member of our active diplomatic community - always ready to support us and to welcome members of the "Monaco family" to her beloved Boston. Whether students or travelers, Rina and Gary found time for kind hospitality and warm words of welcome and encouragement.
On a personal level, I feel I have lost a close friend. 
Sleep in peace, my dear. Thank you for your precious friendship. We miss you already.

Maguy Maccario Doyle
Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco to the United States


I am so sorry to hear of Rina's passing.  We will miss her tremendously as a friend and mentor.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Gary and the entire family.  

Rina was always an active and interesting participant in our consular meetings. She will be missed. 

Our sincere condolences to Gary and all members of Rina's family. I hope we will cross paths again.

Bernard and Jan Lette
Hon. Consul General of Monaco in Toronto

I have met Rina Spence in her capacity of Consul  de Monaco à Boston and I know how dedicated to this task she was, in particular when  helping the young generation to find their professional path...
In the name of all my team here in Monaco please accept my deepest sympathy .
Isabelle Rosabrunetto 
Directeur Général du Département des Relations Extérieures et de la Coopération Gouvernement de Monaco

“There are no goodbyes for us. 
Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.”  -  Mahatma Gandhi

Rest in peace dearest Rina, we are grateful for all the moments 
we spent together but we will miss you so bad... 
Thank you for everything.
Love you  ❤️ 

Rina was an absolute inspiration to me. Her genuine curiosity and hunger for new topics, including mastering the regulation of medical AI, demonstrated that intellectual life does not end upon retirement. She taught me a great deal about people management, including how to organize groups of high powered people to achieve common goals. She always pushed for things to be more common sense, work better, and be focused on what truly mattered.

She was also a loving, guiding mentor beyond the intellectual. Rina was the first to offer sage advice about juggling work and family. The octopus toy she brought my son remains a very cherished toy that he sings "octopus's garden" to every day. Every time I see rowers on the Charles as I walk my dog I will think of her.

It is with very great sadness that I learnt of the passing away of my Dear friend Rina. At this very sad time, I would like to extend to you Gary, and through you to Rina's son and daughter and all her grandchildren, my most sincere condolences and my deepest sympathy.

Since her appointment as Consul of Monaco in Boston she has tirelessly helped the young people from Monaco to extend their knowledge into the best American universities, giving them guidance and sometimes reassurance and comfort.

She was convinced of the importance of knowledge and good studies for a better future to young people and offered them the best advice possible. She always tried to help in many ways putting her connexion and relations to others.

She had been a dear and faithful friend, full of courage. She will be greatly missed but held in my memory as a smart, dedicated woman of high standards, always caring for others. All my prayers are with you.


Dear Gary, Adam and Rebecca 
I was so sorry to hear about Rina. She was so dynamic, smart and courageous. She was the best CEO for Emerson Hospital. She always enjoyed going on to the floors, visiting patients and staff alike. She set high standards for all of us who worked with her and her focus was the patient and the communities we served. All staff knew her by her first name and felt she was approachable and genuinely interested in their viewpoint. She was sorely missed when she retired but is fondly remembered by those who worked for her. She was an amazing influence in my life, as you know, and it was an honor and  pleasure not only to work with her but to have the opportunity to know her and meet all of you. Love to all of you; you’re all in my heart. 
Leslie

Rina was so dynamic. She was a very  influential person in my life. Really one of a kind. Condolences to her family-she will be missed. 

We remember fondly in the Monaco Foundry how Rina was full of a heartfelt desire to help others and to help their innovations. She will be missed but held in prayer and not forgotten.

OBITUARY

Rina Klausner Spence

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