Mrs. Marlene “Molly” Spooner

Molly was born on May 22nd, 1931, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  After moving to Fairbanks in 1955 with her young family, Molly went to work as a clerk in the registrar’s office at the University of Alaska.  She wanted a job ”just for the winter,” and stayed for thirty years.  When she retired in 1986 as Associate Director of Admissions, she left with the friendship and admiration of faculty and staff, and with the love of her co-workers.  She especially enjoyed helping students, and won the gratitude of hundreds of them, whom she helped with the intricacies of admissions and the complications of graduating. 

While working full-time and raising her family, she made time for musical performance work, for church work, and for completing a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1975 at UAF.  Taking one course at a time, she finished her degree nearly twenty years after taking her first college course, and was awarded the 1975 Tilly Award for the outstanding married woman student of the year. 

Molly was a founding member of the University Park Bible Church, a generous supporter of international missions work, and served in many roles with the local chapter of Stonecroft Ministries.  Active with the Choir of the North in the 1950’s and 1960’s, she later was a founding member  of Fairbanks Light Opera Theatre, with whom she sang many roles.  She enjoyed all kinds of music, especially opera, and loved knitting, needlework, and quilting. 

Molly is survived by her husband, Robert Spooner; her daughter, Janet Lenger (Aurora, CO); and son, Michael Spooner (Logan, UT); she is also survived by her “adopted” family, Audrey and Janice Trumbull and Martha Johnson; and by four grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Floral arrangements may be sent to the Denali Bible Chapel, but the family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to University Park Bible Church, PO BOX  80629, Fairbanks, AK  99708, or to Stonecroft Ministries, PO BOX  9609, Kansas City, MO  64134. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 6:30 PM on Thursday, August 30th, 2001, at Denali Bible Chapel (1201 Lathrop Street).  Don Sauer & Mark Frame will be officiating. 

Arrangements cared for by Fairbanks Funeral Home & Crematory.