Joanne Ripley Spencer of Penfield passed away peacefully in Greece, NY on Sunday November 6, 2016. She was 83. Joanne was born on July 6, 1933 in Newton Center, MA to William Putnam Ripley of Boston and Lydia Overbosch Ripley of Leeuwarden, Holland. She attended Winsor, an independent day school in Boston, and went on to graduate from Colby Junior College in New London, NH, and Columbia University in New York City where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Occupational Therapy. She met Floyd Alhart Spencer at the Silver Bay YMCA Camp during the summer of 1953 where she worked as a sailing instructor on Lake George. They were later married in Rochester, NY on August 30, 1956. Floyd preceded her in death in 1985. Joanne raised three sons in Penfield, NY and then returned to work as an occupational therapist with BOCES for many years. She loved her work and befriended many of her students who would continue to stay in touch with her decades after they graduated. She loved to travel, and over the years, she had visited all seven continents with various friends and family. She made numerous visits back to Holland and stayed in close contact with her Dutch family. She particularly loved the coast of Maine where she spent every summer as a child and returned to the River Road near Boothbay Harbor with her family every year. It was her second home and she gave generously to support the Damariscotta River Association. Above all, Joanne was a devoted wife and mother and an amazing grandmother to her six grandchildren. She shared her love of travel with them and took her children and grandchildren on extended trips to Turks & Caicos, Mexico and Costa Rica. She had a wide circle of life-long friends who will remember her fondly. She was also an avid gardener and enjoyed painting, playing bridge and volunteering at the Red Cross. She also made a great apple pie! She was preceded in death by her sister Suzanne Ripley and is survived by her brother Arie Jan "Mick" Ripley (Steph) of Newton Center, MA. She is also survived by her sons Jonathan (Rena) Spencer, Timothy (Kathy) Spencer, and Christopher (Beth) Spencer, her six grandchildren Daniel, William, Kelli, Christine, Stephen, and Amanda, her special friend Alan Fox, and her numerous friends, neighbors and extended family. Friends may call at Bartolomeo and Perrotto Funeral Home at 1411 Vintage Road, on Friday, November 25, 2016, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A celebration of Joanne's life will be held at Hope Lutheran Church, 1301 Vintage Lane, on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a contribution in her honor may donate to the Damariscotta River Association (www.damariscottariver.org).