Special Olympic multi-sport athlete, advocate, and Worcester resident, Katie Spencer, died June 28 of cancer at the age of 35, writes Gary Miles for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Spencer was a captain for the Special Olympics basketball and soccer teams. She also played bocce, floor hockey, and bowling, among other sports. Over two decades, she won 132 medals.
She later served as a mentor for the games, an ambassador, and volunteered for the Variety Children’s charity. She graduated from the Best Buddies Pennsylvania non-profit program and represented the organization at community events and fundraisers.
“Our athletes and coaches … have had the long-standing privilege of calling Katie their friend. She will be missed greatly by all who knew her,” said officials with Special Olympics in Bethlehem.
When not volunteering within the special needs community, Spencer cooked for homebound seniors, volunteered at senior care centers, and no-kill cat shelters.
Celebrations of her life were held on July 1 and 2. Donations in her name can be made to the Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
Read more about Katie Spencer and her amazing life of service in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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