Harriette Aleese Spencer

Harriette (Mason) was born in Cleveland, Ohio to the late William and Merdis Mason on May 19, 1936. From that union, she was the only sister of Robert and William Jr. (“boo boo”) who all preceded her in death. One of her first jobs was working at her Mother’s deli, standing on wood pallets to serve the customers.

Harriette met Joseph W. Spencer one of those afternoons while skating at the Playmore. They were united in holy matrimony on September 26, 1957. To this union, five children were born: Lynn Carlton, Phyllis Denise, Stephanie Mason, William Lynell and Wesley Morris.

Harriette accepted Christ at an early age and joined the church of her grandfather, who was one of the founding members of the former Mt. Sinai Baptist Church. She attended the Catholic Diocese School of Our Lady of the Sacrament, and finished her education in the Cleveland Public Schools.

Harriette first fell in love with gospel and secular music, but was inspired by music teacher, Vivian Weaver, to experience all genres of music. She performed operas and studied ballet at the renowned Karamu House, and she sang with the Bobby Womack Brothers. As an adult, her home was full of music all the time. Harriette was an exceptional skater and spent many afternoons with the social club, the Young Lovers, at the Playmore. Her enjoyment of sports was fostered by her father, who played baseball at League Park, leading Harriette to play pickup basketball at the POC.

It was her commitment to the education of her children that fueled her career. Harriette first volunteered then worked at Oliver Wendell Holmes Elementary. Her love of reading led to her employment with the Shaker Board of Education, where she worked in the library. She then worked at Cuyahoga Community College at the main campus as a secretarial administrator, working in several departments. She served as Club Sponsor to many student groups where she often cultivated diverse interests and mentored many students until her retirement. Even beyond her job, her extensive commitment to public service led to her receipt of a Key to the City by Mayor Frank G. Jackson on September 14, 2010.

Harriette was well known for her love of gardening; she dried her own flowers and would often make dried and fresh arrangements. Both visitors to her home and those she visited were often gifted with her beautiful bounty. She celebrated and supported Abor Day, designing and planting gardens and trees in honor of her elders that were also avid gardeners. Harriette was a skillful seamstress, making matching Easter outfits for Phyllis and Stephanie. She participated in bazaars, enjoyed kite day at Edgewater Park, and

presented tutorials at Dress for Success and Kwanzaa celebrations on how to tie and wear scarfs.

Harriette’s other great passion was the written word. She read three newspapers daily: The New York Times, The Plain Dealer and USA Today. The Harlem Renaissance writers were her favorites – Langston Hughes, James W. Johnson and Zora Neal Hurston, and her library reflected her special kindship with Maya Angelou.

Harriette went home to be with her Lord Monday January 5, 2026. She leaves to celebrate her memory and legacy her half brothers and sisters Frederick, Essik, James, Jennifer and Geralynn, her aunt Aleese Smith of Palmdale, CA., her children Lynn, Phyllis , Stephanie, William (Jean), Wesley (Giselle), and adopted daughter Annette Todd, four grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, along with a host family, friends and loved ones.