Candace "Candy" Gove Spence

CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held Thursday July 2nd at the Alexandria Bay American Legion from 3:00-5:00 pm

“Candy” Spence was granted her wings on Wednesday, May 27th as she passed away peacefully at River Hospital surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on June 28, 1945 at E.J. Noble (River) Hospital with big, blue eyes and a beautiful soul. She was the daughter of Margaret Wagner and Carlton Gove and sister to Lucinda, Peter and Thomas Gove.

In 1963 she graduated from Alexandria Central School and on June 29th, 1963, she married her high school sweetheart Neil Spence. Neil predeceased her on November 29th, 2021 after a long battle with cancer.

Candy spent her whole life surrounded by the magic of the St. Lawrence River. As a child she loved to swim with her siblings, as a teen she loved to dance with her friends Doris, Eunice and Patrick, and as an adult, she enjoyed interacting with the community where she dedicated over 60 years to various businesses. A few of her proud employers include The Riveredge Resort, 1000 Islands Bait Store, Riley’s and Downtown Wine and Spirits where she was characterized as being nothing less than hardworking, dependable and trustworthy.

If you knew Candy well enough you could usually find her sunbathing at the park with her friend Sarah, walking Route 12 with her sister Cindy or riding around town on her blue moped. However, if you were fortunate enough to engage with her she always had plenty of smiles, stories and lots of laughs to share with anyone.

She is survived by two sons and a daughter – Warren Spence, Watertown; Samuel “John” Spence (Renee Pilatsky) Alex Bay; Kimberly Spence Harrell (Charles Harrell),Texas; two grandsons, Jared “Tex” Nichols, California; Hudson Harrell, Texas; sister Lucinda “Cindy” Hutchinson (Norm Hutchinson) Alex Bay; two brothers-in-law, Roger Spence, California; Patrick Spence, Potsdam; and numerous loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Her brothers Peter and Thomas as well as son-in-law Charles died before her.

Special thanks to Anthony St neighbors Paul and Roxy Shortt as well as Teresa and Gary Hogan for a lifetime of kindness and memories and also to the wonderful compassionate people at Gordon Court for welcoming Candy into the community without hesitation.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date to be announced.