Katherine Mary Spencer

Katie “Starbucks” Spencer, 35, of Worcester, PA passed away peacefully on Friday, June 28th, 2024 while in the company of family at Pennsylvania Hospital. Katie was born in Chestnut Hill, PA on March 12, 1989, the daughter of Diane (Winnemore) and Thomas Spencer.

Katie had a mischievous sense of humor, an infectious giggle, and a hearty laugh. Katie’s strength and her genuine caring for others inspired all with whom she came in contact—coaches, fellow volunteers, her Best Buddies, neighbors, the doctors, nurses, and others who cared for her, and countless others. Katie made this world a better place every day.

Katie was a seven sport Special Olympics athlete with an imposing collection of 114 medals, last we counted. She was strong and resilient, refusing to let her cancer diagnosis keep her from attaining her goals of competing at Winter State Games in York in March 2023, Fall State Games at Villanova in November 2023, or Summer State Games at Penn State in June 2024. In recognition of her more than 25 year career, her service as a Global Ambassador and as a member of the Montgomery County Athlete Leadership Team, and for her extensive fundraising efforts for Special Olympics, Katie was inducted into the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Hall of Fame during the Summer State Games at Penn State University on June 6, 2024. She is one of fewer than 100 athletes who have been so honored.

It was more than the competition that made Special Olympics important to Katie: it was the opportunity to spend time with her coaches and teammates, who truly became a second family to her. Katie was the consummate teammate—consistently encouraging others to be the best they could be or, as the Special Olympics Athletes’ Oath puts it, to win or, if they cannot win, to be brave in the attempt.

Throughout her adult life, Katie was a tireless advocate for people with special needs. As she said in many of her speeches, while she had Down Syndrome, she did not consider herself disabled. She personally raised nearly $100,000 over the years for Special Olympics, Variety - The Children’s Charity, and Best Buddies Pennsylvania.

Katie was involved for more than 25 years with Variety. She served as a Variety Ambassador, representing the charity at various events. In recognition of those efforts she earned a Presidential Volunteer Service Award in 2004 and was honored as an “Ace of Variety” in 2018 for her extraordinary impact on the charity.

Katie’s other awards and honors included the Sheetz Family Award of Excellence for representing “all that is good about the Special Olympics as they continue to transform lives through teamwork and friendship" (2021), the “Leave Your Mark” award from Carson Wentz’s A01 Foundation for “leaving a mark by using [her] abilities, talents, and passions to help others” (2019), the Jimmy Medal from the Philadelphia Charity Ball for making a positive difference in the lives of others (2019), both a commendation from the City of Philadelphia and a Certificate of Congratulations from Senator John Rafferty (2018), and being named a Walmart Community Playmaker by the Philadelphia Flyers and Walmart (2017).

She was also committed to the local community, cooking and delivering meals to homebound seniors and volunteering in the dementia unit of Dock Woods Senior Care in Lansdale and at Kitty Cottage, a no-kill cat shelter in East Norriton.

Katie was a devoted sports fan, especially of her Philadelphia Flyers. Wearing her trademark white wig to games, she became known to many of the players and other fans alike, and she would continue to follow her favorite Flyers even after they moved on to play for other teams.

Katie loved her extended family and especially the “babies.” She retained a childlike innocence that resonated with young children, and her natural and effortless ways with them led her to be called “the Baby Whisperer.”

Katie is survived by her parents, Tom and Diane, and her sister, Barbara (Jeff Dahlen). She is also survived by dozens of aunts, uncles, and cousins and their children.

A public visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, July 1st at Variety - The Children’s Charity, 2950 Potshop Road, Worcester, PA. On Tuesday July 2nd, relatives and friends are welcome to come and listen to words of remembrance at 10:45 a.m. and attend her funeral mass at 11 AM, both at Corpus Christi Church, 900 Sumneytown Pike, Lansdale, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Katie’s memory may be made to Special Olympics of Pennsylvania (2570 Boulevard of the Generals, Suite 124, Norristown, PA 19403), Best Buddies Pennsylvania (640 Freedom Business Center Drive, Suite 115, King of Prussia, PA 19406) or Variety-The Children’s Charity (PO Box 609, Worcester, PA 19490).

Services entrusted to the Joseph J. McGoldrick Funeral Home and condolences may be made at www.mcgoldrickfh.com