Susan S. Spencer, M.D.
With profound shock and sadness we report the sudden death of Susan S. Spencer, M.D., Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Yale School of Medicine, on Thursday, May 21, 2009, in Salt Lake City, Utah, from complications of an acute intestinal illness. Dr. Spencer was an internationally recognized expert in epilepsy and epilepsy surgery. She was the co-director of the Yale Epilepsy Program with her husband, Dennis Spencer, M.D., Chair of Neurosurgery. She was a pioneering woman in medicine, fighting for and forging a pathway for other brilliant female scientists of the next generation. Dr. Spencer was born in 1948 in Budapest , Hungary , and grew up in Yonkers, NY. She came to Yale as a resident in neurology in 1975 following a distinguished undergraduate and medical school education at the University of Rochester. She was immediately recognized as an outstanding resident and continued on in fellowship before joining the Yale faculty in 1980. She soon wrote major papers in epilepsy surgery and eventually authored more than 200 original manuscripts and chapters on the subject. Her research earned continuous National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant support almost from the beginning, and she was the principal investigator on several Program Projects. Her contributions were recognized by the American Epilepsy Society ( AES ) Clinical Research Award in 2003, the most prestigious honor paid to a member in the field. As a leader in her field, Dr. Spencer served as the president of the AES in 2000 and vice-president of the American Neurological Society ( ANA ) in 2001. She served on the executive boards of both the ANA and the American Academy of Neurology. She also co-founded and co-edited the AES 's only journal, 'Currents in Epilepsy,' from 2001 to 2009. As an educator, Dr. Spencer served on the Yale School of Medicine Admissions Committee for almost a decade and was thesis advisor for numerous Yale medical students, many of whose theses went on to become important publications. She directed an epilepsy fellowship program that graduated dozens of experts who have gone on to major leadership positions in the field. While highly active in research and teaching, Dr. Spencer was an outstanding and indefatigable clinician. She cared for thousands of patients, who traveled from all over the world to entrust their health to her. Dr. Spencer was also an accomplished musician whose love for music and art permeated her life and her family's. She mastered the oboe and piano when young and more recently took up the harp. Dr. Spencer was selfless, tireless, brilliant, passionate, and so loved by her family, friends, patients, and colleagues. She will be dearly missed and in our hearts every second of every day. She is predeceased by her beloved stepfather, Bernard Schneider, of Yonkers, NY. She is survived by her loving family: her husband Dennis Spencer of Woodbridge, CT; her daughters Joanna Spencer of Manhattan and Andrea Spencer of Cambridge, MA; her stepdaughter Kate Spencer of Burbank, CA; her stepson Christopher Spencer of Haverford, PA; her sisters Beth Weingarth of Woodbridge, CT and Karen Kimball of Cheshire, CT; and her mother Magda Schneider of Yonkers, NY. Memorial service July 11, 2009 in Battell Chapel, Corner of College & Elm St., New Haven at 3:00 p.m.. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Epilepsy Society for the Susan Spencer Fund for Clinical Research and Education (to the AES at 342 North Main St., West Hartford, CT 06117, or by credit card online at www.aesnet.org). Funeral arrangements are private, in care of BEECHER & BENNETT-TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME, 410 Campbell Ave., West Haven, CT.
Dr. Spencer and family, Our prayers and condolences during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with you. Dr. D, Our daughter Rachel Howard would like you to know she is sorry and sends you a hug… Arsenio and Kelly Bustos
Dr. Susan had treated our daughter Angela for more than a decade with a most caring attitude. Our daughter is mentally challenged as well as a seizure victim. She would ask Doctor Susan the same questions visit after visit. She was always treated with respect and given the answers time after time. We, as well as our daughter will miss a great person as well a great doctor.
I have been touched by her work, her dedication to patients the amazing care she gave to them. I have been praying for the family since I heard of her passing. She will not be forgotten because of the work she has done, but the world has lost an amazingly gifted woman. I pray that the family is comforted with memories of good times and pleasant times. Prayers for comfort.
I was a former employee of YNNH, and took my precious mom to Dr Susan, in 2001, for treatment of a TIA~ She took excellent care of her..Mom & I were both shocked and saddened, to read today, of her passing. Just recently, we were planning another visit to Dr. Susan, for another neurological problem~ When you’ve been treated by the best in the field?..it’s hard to turn to another DR. To Dr, Dennis, and family???..we send our love, sympathy and prayers, to comfort you , during this difficult time. God Bless you all, Lisa Jordan Sharog Kaaren Jordan
Dear Dr. Spencer & Family…our hearts go out to you in this time of great sorrow..we know Angels are with her now as Susan was an Angel here on earth..Helen & Aliya
Dr Spencer and Family, Our deepest condolences Dr Susan was a sunshine for us. We feel lost now. Irina Goncharova, Tamara Wing
Dr. Susan will be greatly missed by her family, her patients and their familes and her co-workers at Yale. She was an exceptional woman and doctor. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.
I am so Saddened to lose Sue as a Dr and a Friend my condolences Patty Aulenti
I would like to extend my sympathy to Dr. Spencer’s family and to those colleagues, friends and patients who will miss all that she brought to their lives. It was my hope that she would treat my daughter Nicolle who has Down Syndrome and now has a seizure disorder. Nicolle was to see her on June 3rd and we have been eagerly waiting to meet her for the past five months. We are especially saddened to hear of her untimely death and to know that we will never have the privelege of meeting her and having her medical expertise and care to help Nicolle’s life. God’s blessings to all.
Our deepest condolenses to Dennis and the family. From the time she came to Yale University School of Medicine, I have worked with her, was tremendously impressed with her fund of knowledge, work ethics and Patient care and later, she was a superb consultatnt for my difficult to manage patients with epilepsy. She will be greately missed.
To Dr.Spencer and family, I was so very shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Dr Susan Spencer. She was my neurologist for over 14 years, through 2 pregnancies and I considered her a most precious resource and a friend. You have been in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be in the days to come. She was one in a million and will be deeply and profoundly missed. May the outpouring of love for this wonderful woman sustain you in the days to come. Maria Torre
Art and I send sympathy to Dennis and the Spencer family in the loss of wife and mother, excellent physician and musician. We are sad to learn of Susan’s death, and will keep you in prayer. Rosemary Baue
Dear Dennis and family, Please accept my deepest sympathies on the loss of Susan. She was such a wonderful woman, colleague, friend, leader, and role model to so many of us. Her passion and expertise in the epilepsy field will never be matched.
Dear Dennis and family, We express our deepest condolences to you upon Susan’s untimely passing. She devoted her life to the care of others and the advancement of medicine. There can be no more noble life. John Elefteriades and family
Dear Dr. Spencer and family: Please accept my sincerest condolences for the loss of Susan. It was an honor to have worked for her from 1989-1991, and most importantly a privilege to have known such a beautiful person. Barbara Consiglio
Dennis and Family, My hearfelt sympathy goes to you at this time. Paul Ackley Bedford, IA
Dennis and family: My most sincerest condolences on the loss of Susan. I am in complete shock and heartbroken by her sudden passing. She was a mentor and an inspiration, she will be greatly missed.
Dr. Spencer and Family, I am so very saddened and sorry for your loss. Your wife, mother, and daughter has been my savior for the last ten years. My epileptic seizures have been under control because of her. I always looked forward to our appointments. Her expertise and care for her patients will be missed by many. She was not only a great doctor but she was a great person. She always had time for all her patients and their many questions. She never made you feel rushed and would answer you and comfort your concerns. She will be sadly missed. I feel so sad and my heart is very heavy. My prayers and thoughts are with you all. May God hold her in the palm of His hand until we meet again.
Dr. Spencer and Family, We are very sorry to hear about the loss of Dr. Susan. It is a TREMENDOUS loss for the epilepsy community. She was a wonderful woman. One of a kind, her love of her patients will not be found in any other Doctor. I will miss her greatly. With Deepest Sympathy Emily Buchanan
Dr.Spencer and family,My thoughts and prayers are with you on the sudden death of Dr.Spencer.I am a patient of hers and she got me through all the tests,stress, and tears before the epilepsy surgery.The last few appointments I had with her,we were having alot of laughs..I now am having alot of tears for her..I will never forget her!
I cannot imagine working with anyone so passionate and respected as she. Susan is already missed more than words can express. With deepest heartfelt sympathy, my prayers are with you and your family.
I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear of Dr. Spencer’s death. Because of Dr. Spencer, today I am seizure free after many years of difficult to diagnose seizures. Not only was she a brillant doctor, but she treated her patients with great kindness and compassion. Her dear family are in my thoughts and prayers. She will be greatly missed.
To Dr. Dennis Spencer and family, I offer to you my deepest sympathy for your loss. Dr. Susan Spencer will be deeply missed from this world that we know. She was indeed an incredibly kind, caring, strong, selfless, dependable, and determined woman/doctor/committee member. My prayers are for you and your family to find some confort in knowing that you were Blessed to have had her in your lives. Grace Williams-Pullen Office of Admissions New Haven, CT
To Dr. Spencer,Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We were deeply saddened and devastated to see this in the paper.We will miss her visits enormously. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Amanda Hitchcock and Parents
Dear Dennis and girls, We are so sad for you to have suffered the shock of such a sudden departure and to have lost this wonderful wife and mother. We hope that the memories you have of this incredible doctor and person will sustain you. We send all our best wishes and love, Carole and Arthur (Broadus)
Dear Dennis: Words cannot express the shock & sadness I feel. I can still remember the day I met Susan when she came to the Dept. of Neurology as a resident in 1975. I always had the utmost respect & admiration for her as a clinician, mother, wife and friend. She will always have a special place in my heart. The world will miss her greatly. Our prayers are with you & your familly. With love & heartfelt sympathy.
Dear Dr Dennis Spencer and family I am very sorry for your loss. My husband Donald is a patient and our family is very grateful for everything that your wife has done for my husband and she is going to be very missed. The medical world has lost a great woman and doctor. My family throughts and prays go out to you and your family
Dear Dr. Dennis Spencer and family, As a Neurology Secretary of 11 years, being associated with the ICON, Sue Spencer, was a gift from Heaven, for she truly was an angel. My heart goes out to each of you.
Dear Dr. Spencer and family, I want to express my sincere sadness regarding Dr. Spencer’s passing. She was a true role model for me and other female neurology residents. When I was a medical student I met up with her at one of the ANA meetings and she took the time to talk to me about career planning, research, and gave me advice on how to reach my goals. I have always appreciated this. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Dear Dr. Spencer and Family, I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Susan. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Dear Dr. Spencer and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. Dr. Susan was most kind to my family and we will never forget her. With deepest symphathy, Esther, Bob and Stephanie Brzoska
Dearest Dr. Spencer, You gave me hope and helped me in my time of need. My sincere appreciation and fondest memories will always be with you.
Dr. Dennis Spencer and Family- My deepest condolences go out to you during this time of need. She was a beloved doctor whose care and concern was unmatched and is one of the many traits which made her such a great doctor. As a patient who benefited from some of her many talents I am forever grateful to her for the ways in which she has benefited my life. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dr. Spencer and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I am so sorry for your loss.
I have no words to express my feelings. Dr Spencer is my Hero. She is my inspiration and most beloved teacher.She is not only a true leader, and a great scholar but also someone with unmatched wisdom and passion who understood and took care of me like her own. Her presence was always larger than life and her absence from this world is unbearable and makes me feel like an orphan. It is true that we cannot see her among us but her smile,her endless strength and warmth will be felt in every heart beat of all those who love her. She will always be in my heart and in my prayers
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Frank and Anita Annunziato
We want to say .Thank you Dr. Susan Spencer for everything you have done for our family and for saving Dana’s life.. Our deepest sympathy to Dennis Spencer and family. We will really miss our doctor and dear friend, Susan, who has worked so hard, day and night. She was so alive and vibrant, and she will continue to be that way in our hearts for many many years.
Dear Dennis, I am deeply saddened by the news of your tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope you can soon find peace in this troubled time.
Dear Dr. Spencer, We would like you to know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time.
I am a recent patient of Dr. Spencer and was obviously shocked to learn of this when I arrived for a checkup. My sincere condolences to her family and friends for a caring and accomplished woman. She will be missed.
My daughter has been a patient of Dr. Susan’s for nearly two decades. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for all that Dr. Susan has done for Tracey. Through the many trials and phases of treatment, Tracey was cared for with the utmost respect, dignity, and compassion. Thanks to Susan’s dedication and Dennis’ surgical expertise, my daughter has been seizure-free for nearly ten years, is happily married and has two beautiful daughters of her own. We owe your family a debt of gratitude we can’t ever possibly repay. We were truly blessed to have Dr. Susan in our lives and will miss her terribly.
My family & I would like to send our condolences to DR.Spencer & his family.I(Aimee)have been a patient of hers for about 17yrs & not only was she a execellent doctor but person.I was what she called one of her most unique cases & I’ve had many DR’s but she is the one I trusted & looked up to. She always joked with me why I was so difficult(seizures not myself),why she couldn’t figure me out.This is breaking my heart and I will sadly miss her.Dr.Susan always kept me to stay strong she not to long ago helped me make a big step to brain surgery that was going to be 6/2/09 but not without neither of them they both are great DR’s.I am very sorry for your loss, like she would say to me be strong for yourself and the people around you.Sending my thoughts & love to you. Aimee Stuckey
Our condolences to the Husband,Mother,Children and Sisters of Dr. Spencer. Our family was very saddened to hear of the untimely death of Dr.Spencer. We will miss her very much. She was and always will be one of the finest physicians we have ever met. Our hope is to find someone as qualified as she was to care for our son. John expressed his sadness in not ever being able to take her for a ride in his ’65 Mustang. That was always their goal. May God bless you always. With our deepest sympathy, The John D’Andrea Family
To ALL of Susan’s Family,We are so sad to have lost such a beautiful person.We love Susan a great deal our hearts and prayers go out to you all.. We will deeply MISS SUZIE!!This world just lost a special woman who has given so very much.WE LOVE YOU SUSAN !!!
Dear Dennis, I was so sorry hear of susans passing,she helped every life that she touched.Susan had so much love and she will never be forgotten,My heart is broken. Nancy Gill
Dear Dr. Dennis Spencer, I would like to send my sympathy to you and your family. I have been a patient of Dr. Susan Spencer for many years. I was in shock when I heard of her death. I will miss her very much. I trusted her and looked up to her. She was a very kind, caring, strong, dependable, and determined person. I always looked forward to seeing her. She never made me feel rushed at my appointments. She always took time to listen to me. She will always have a special place in my heart. My thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time. Sincerely, Denise Laflamme
Dear Dr. Spencer, It was with profound shock and disbelief that we learned of the death of your beloved, lovely wife, Susan. Our son, Christopher, was a patient of hers for many years. Our visits were a pleasure. Her smile, her humor, her warmth, her expertise set a truly caring tone to the visits which made us always feel that she had all the time in the world to talk to just us about Chris. She was thoughtfully and tirelessly altering his meds always searching for the right combination of drugs that would help him. She always held out hope that a new drug would be found that might do the trick. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this most difficult time. Susan Spencer was a very special lady. We were priveledged to have known her.She will be sorely missed by us and by all whose lives she touched. Sincerely, Olive & Ed Getlein
Dear Dr. Spencer,Joanna and Andrea, We wish to express our profound sorrow at the passing of your wonderful wife and mother. We are truly sorry for your loss.
Dennis and family- I’m shocked and saddened about the loss of Susan. You both have been terrific friends towards John and I over the years. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Dr Spencer Our hearts go out to you and your family for the loss of your wife Susan. My husband has been a patient of hers for years and will be truly missed. She was a great Dr and a Friend to us. You and your family will be in our prayers.
I was shocked to hear about Dr. Spencer’s death on Thursday the 28th. Driving down from Massachusetts, it was always a full-day trip to see her. My mother broke down in tears when we learned of her passing. Dennis, I send my deepest condolences to you in these hard times. She was an incredible woman, and she will be missed by all. You were a lucky one, finding her. Be well.
Dear Dr. Spencer and family, This is a heart-breaking time. Dr. Spencer has been a mentor and friend to so many of us here. I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Condolences, Dario
Dear Dr. Spencer, My heart was broken when I heard of the passing of Dr. Susan Spencer.I can not tell you how much you and your wife has ment to me these past 12 years.You both gave me hope that my life could change for the better after my surgery ten years ago and it did I have been seizure free for ten years now.I will never forget how much you and your wife has helped me.My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Dr. Spencer I can only imagine the hollowness that such an abrupt loss, a snatching really of one so beloved brings. Your very lives so synchronized…I pray you find solace in the many people whose lives you have both touched. May the knowledge that you have the deepest love and sympathy of so many give you comfort in these awful dark moments. Nozipo and Allen
Dear Dennis and Family I am so very sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine the pain and anguish and empty feeling you are all going through right now. What a horrible unbelievable loss. I have been in a stupor since hearing the news and have slowly been trying to come to terms with it myself . Having worked with you and Susan for close to 30 years I have so many fond memories. She had a spark and when she entered the lab you could feel her strong presence without even turning to see who just entered you felt her energy and knew it was Susan. I looked forward to when she was the attending on service . She loved looking at the EEG’s /seizures and would get all excited and light up over the EEG abnormalities and seizure onset and spikes. When I first met Susan she was reading the piles and piles of printed EEG’s at the VA, again to anyone else it looked like and exhausting unbearable amount of work but she did it with great ease. She was great at juggling her coffee and tea with her huge bag which later developed wheels. I never saw her spill a drop. After we discussed the patients she would leap up with a great big smile and enthusiasm and say .lets do it. which meant lets go see the patients. Sometimes she would roll her big eyes when saying it but she was also smiling. Susan did everything so well that she made it look so darn easy and logical. When she was on sabbatical she had more time to think of new projects to do and would call first thing in the morning and start off with hey I have a great idea about a new project how about …..!? How could you resist ! Susan was demanding which to me meant she would get the job done and you could count on. I remember the time she returned from a trip to Hawaii and the Z-fold printer was not on its stand , she noticed it was gone and questioned it’s absence. I told her it was down in Bio-med they ere trying to fix it because it broke down. She looked at me and said so ,…have them bring it back ! I looked at her and said it’s not working and she replied , so I don’t care have them bring it back ! I just laughed that was Susan. I appreciate all she has done for me over the years of working with her, she has taught me so much and helped me with my papers and in my career. She has touched the lives of her students, friends , co-workers , patients , and family. I feel blessed and honored for the number of years that I have known and spent with her. I will surely miss her. God Bless and take care and again I’m so sorry for your loss, Love Cindy
We are very sad to here of this Our prayers go out to all those who loved Her Bob & Sue Brummett
Dear Dennis: Words are inadquate at this time to express my shock and sadness on hearing of Susan’s death. The two years I worked with you and Susan at Yale were some of my finest. Her kindness extended to me during those years will not be forgotten. I found a true .sole. mate – someone who liked shopping for shoe bargains as much as I did. Debbie (Garfield) Kim Salt Lake City, UT
Dear Spencer Family, It is with a heavy heart I am writing this this note of sympathy. My husband, Robert, has been a patient of Dr. Susan Spencer for only a few years. However in that short time we realized how lucky and blessed we were to come to know her. She always came into the exam room with a smile, and a positive attitude about his treatment. She was able to give us hope when others could not, we will always be grateful for that. We can only imagine the sadness and sorrow you feel. I hope in some way knowing that others are sharing some of your pain is a comfort. May you find peace in your memories. Dr. Susan Spencer will live on in the hearts of the many, many lives she touched. With Sincere Sympathy, Lisa Hudson
I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Spencer gave me hope about my future with epilepsy. It was because of her that I managed to safely be pregnant and have a child without fear of seizures. Despite having so many patients she always remembered me, when I got married she wanted to see pictures, when I had my son she wanted to meet him. she always treated the person as well as their problem. I am truly saddend by her passing and offer my condolences to her family. Jessica Barry
In the 1980’s I worked part time at the V.A. for Peter Williamson and Joyce Kramer. During my tenure I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Spencer and her husband. I was and always will be impressed with her expertise, professionalism, and genuine warmth. She will be sorely missed as consummate professional and a wonderful person.
My condolensces to Dr Spencer and family. Also to those she treated. She was a beautiful and wonderful person who made us all feel secure with our illness. We have suffered a great loss and will miss her dearly.
Dear Dennis & Family, I am totally shocked & deeply saddened to have learned about Susan’s death just a few days ago.She was a wonderful neurologist,not to mention a special friend who I always laughed & joked with every time I went in to see her.Without you Dennis,or Susan I would still be having about 10-15 seizures a day.But thanks to you & Susans talents in neurology,I have been seizure free for 14+ years now.Susan was one of the reasons I am the way i am today Dennis.My thoughts & prayers as well as my mothers prayers go out to you at this most difficult time.Susan was a dear friend & will be Deeply missed by everyone esp. myself. Brian & Gladys Carpenter
Dr.Spencer and family, With deepest sympathy in the loss of your wife and mother. Our prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Gary,Cindy and Amy Komar
I can’t believe that you are gone. You were so helpful to me and now that your gone I just have so many un-answered questions. I am going to miss you so much. Thank you for all you have done for me. I will not forget you.
I am very shocked and saddened by Dr. Spencer’s passing. I have been a patient of hers and Dr. Dennis Spencers for many years. I feel very bad for Dr. Dennis SPencer and their kids. While I had agruments with Dr. Susan Spencer many times, I know that she only my well being. She will be greatly missed.
Dr. Spencer has been my doctor for the past 10 years. She was a brilliant and perceptive doctor as well as a remarkable woman. I will never forget her intense eyes as she gazed at me with great care. I will miss her so much. She was more than a trusting doctor to me. She was a woman who I will always admire. My best to her family. God Bless.
Kenneth has been a patient of Dr. Susan Spencer for many years. Ken so much looked forward to his appointments as Dr. Spencer would listen to how he was doing and respond to his questions. We will miss her expert advice and care. Our deepest sympathy to her family.
Dear Family of Susan Spencer. Our deepest sympathy to you all on the passing of a beautiful woman. Our son Eric was a patient of hers since 2002. We will truly miss her. When Eric came to her he was having seizures one a week or every other week. Finally in the last year to year and a half the seizures were getting more controlled. Two years ago our youngest son and his wife had twins a boy and a girl. She liked when we showed her pictures of our twin grandkids. She told us she had twin daughters. She was a blessing to us. Art, Cathy and Eric Olsen.
Dr. Susan Spencer helped me when no other doctor could. I was referred to her in 1991. I had uncontrolled complex partial seizures that no other doctor knew how to handle. With her patience and knowledge, the seizures finally dwindled. She helped me through the births of my two boys, for which I am eternally grateful. She monitored my medicines, and made sure I would not have seizures during the pregnancy. She was a very caring woman who loved to talk and listen to my feelings first, before going into the clinic mode of the visit. She always had a smile, and always helped me, whether it was for personal reasons or for epilepsy. I will truly miss her.
I am shocked and saddened by the news of Dr. Susan Spencers sudden death. This amazing woman, husband and research team changed the course of my life in 2001. I am who I am today because of her. After decades of struggling and coping with complex seizures, which many reputable neurologists tried to help, and many insisted werent bad enough to look into surgery, I met finally Susan in 1998. I immediately liked her and through her understanding and concern, felt confident that she could help. Three years later, after a battery of tests, she announced in 2000 that I could be a perfect candidate for surgery! With the care of the talented hands of her husband and amazing staff, I have now been seizure free for 8 years. My seizures always prevented me pursuing a teaching career; since my surgery, I got my masters degree in education, became a fifth grade teacher and an advocate for the disabled. I continued to see Dr. Spencer each year to give her updates and share the joys in my new-found life. I got my drivers license because of Susan and her team, and never tire of running errands. But all of this – my independence, career and ability to give to others – could not have happened without the guidance, perseverance and caring of Susan, Dennis and the Yale research team they guided. My heart goes out to Dennis and the Spencer family, Sue Babu and the entire Yale Medical Family that has lost such a fine, benevolent woman.
Dr. Dennis Spencer operated on my dad and repaired his aneurysm in the mid 1980s. Dr. Susan Spencer had taken care of my dad’s Dystonia for the last several years. Without both, my dad would not be here today. I will be forever greatful to this kind, brilliant and caring woman. Obviously from the thoughts left here, many people feel the same way. The world has truly lost an angel. Peace to Dr. Susan’s entire family.
I am very shocked and saddened to hear the news of Dr. Spencer. I am so honored and grateful to have been under her care for the past 3 years. She touched my life. My thoughts and prayers for her family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time. I will truly miss her.
Dr. Susan Spencer took care of my mother for 22 years. My mother considered her more of a friend, but thought of her as a great doctor. We will miss her!
My deepest sympathy to Dr. Spencer and his family for the immeasurable loss of Susan. My thoughts and prayers, among countless others, are with you during this tragic time.
With the accident I had, Danbury Hos. saved my life but it was Susan that got my seizures under control,the best anyone could. Losing her, I lost the doc but I also lost a great friend I will miss her. If my mom was still alive, she would be having tears more than me. She was the best.
I was completely shocked to hear the news about Dr. Spencer. She and all the other dedicated people of Yale neurology got me back on track more than once when it came to my difficult to control seizures.My deepest sympathy to the loved ones she left behind.
I am so sorry and saddened to hear of Dr. Spencers passing, she was my doctor for many years and her husband performed my brain surgery on June 15, ten years ago. I have been seizure free. She also helped me through the birth of my son River in 2004. When I was frustrated and angry with my siezures, she would talk to me like amother, keeping focused and on track. I felt safe with her and loved to hear of her daughters and the journeys they were on. She was so proud of them. I have a high standard because of her. Dr. Spencer, you and your family will be in my prayers now and always…
I will never forget Dr. Spencer. She has changed my life forever. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me to make me the better person I am today. Your former patient, Kala Somerville
Dr Dennis my heart is so sad, I met you both about 1986. I was unable to finish college or work and on welfare/disability and somehow you helped me with epilepsy monitoring/surgery. Dr Susan has been there for me through seizures and depression. Now no seizures, I graduated college, working, driving an SUV with a purple stripe and bought my own house. I am glad Dr Susan knew those things that I was feeling better. Her last words were .you look great, call me., I never do. I was looking forward to telling you that I put purple lights up for Christmas,and I painted all the rooms purple even the laundry room concrete walls, also about my vegetable garden with purple stakes and purple trellis for the tomatoes, eggplant, peppers,string beans, peas, carrots, raddishes, cucumbers squash, fig tree, watermelon, raspberries, grapes and herbs. Dr Susan Spencer I love you dearly and I am truely blessed for having you in my life. Thank you Dr Dennis I thank you for your gentleness during all the surgeries God Bless you and your family Love Nancy
I was extremely saddened and shocked to hear of the passing of Dr. Susan Spencer. She cared for my brother, James, for many years. I do believe he was one of her most challenging cases, and she worked tirelessly to improve his quality of life. She was a dynamic, caring woman whom we will miss greatly. Our prayers are with her family & all who knew and loved her.
I was and still am truly shocked and saddened by the loss of Dr. Spencer. She helped me when no one else could (4 years). She was not only an amazing Dr. but also became my friend. The last thing she said to me was how proud she was and that she knew that i was going to get through this. I finally was seizure free one year June 19th. It wouldnt have been possible without her. She will truly be missed, and i will never forget her kindness and positive nature which why i am where i am today. My deepest condolences to the family.
I was so shocked to hear the news..the first thing that came to my mind was that she never knew that she helped my daughter..completely seizure free for 5 mths..she worked so hard to help give her back her life and function like everyone else..we were so blessed to have met her.. to us she was an angel sent from God!
Dr Spencer opened the door of hope and light for my family and I. There are no words.
Dear Dennis, My sincere condolences go to you during this time of grief. Please let me know if I can be of any help during this period. With Sympathy, Chuck
I am in complete shock to learn about Dr. Susan Spencer’s death. My condolences to Dr. Dennis Spencer and his family. I was a patient of Dr. Susan Spencer as a child and Dr Dennis Spencer then later performed surgery. She was so helpful, kind and understanding.. I am forever grateful to them both for what they have given me. Thanks to both of them I am able to live on my own and drive. It has been a godsend. May god bless you and your family during this time.
I was Susie’s roommate sophomore year in college. She was a cheerful, dedicated, fun-loving friend who never failed to make me smile.
I was so sorry to hear of the sudden passing of Dr. Susan Spencer in 2009. I worked as a Clinical Assistant for Dr. Spencer back in 1994 and 1995, and know how hard she worked for each and every one of her patients. She was also absolutely brilliant and well rounded as both an accomplished clinician and a proficient violinist. I always admired this about her, as I am a musician myself. I feel for her daughters and her husband Dr. Dennis Spencer. I am sure that her patients are missing her amazing knowledge and expertise as well.
Dear Dennis: Words cannot express the shock & sadness I feel. I can still remember the day I met Susan when she came to the Dept. of Neurology as a resident in 1975. I always had the utmost respect & admiration for her as a clinician, mother, wife and friend. She will always have a special place in my heart. The world will miss her greatly. Our prayers are with you & your familly. With love & heartfelt sympathy.
Dear Dr. Spencer and family, This is a heart-breaking time. Dr. Spencer has been a mentor and friend to so many of us here. I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Condolences, Dario
Dr Spencer opened the door of hope and light for my family and I. There are no words.
Dr. Spencer I can only imagine the hollowness that such an abrupt loss, a snatching really of one so beloved brings. Your very lives so synchronized…I pray you find solace in the many people whose lives you have both touched. May the knowledge that you have the deepest love and sympathy of so many give you comfort in these awful dark moments. Nozipo and Allen
I am so Saddened to lose Sue as a Dr and a Friend my condolences Patty Aulenti
I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Spencer gave me hope about my future with epilepsy. It was because of her that I managed to safely be pregnant and have a child without fear of seizures. Despite having so many patients she always remembered me, when I got married she wanted to see pictures, when I had my son she wanted to meet him. she always treated the person as well as their problem. I am truly saddend by her passing and offer my condolences to her family. Jessica Barry