Malcolm Spencer (11 May 1937 - 30 Mar 2019)

Malcolm was part of my childhood in Unsworth He was unfailingly kind and patient and I remember many different occasions when our families were together, not least when they took care of my sister and I when my grandmother died suddenly. I remember Malcolm and my father having long chats about religion, science and gardening - all things they had in common.
We are so sorry we were away last week and unable to attend the funeral but Malcolm will be remembered with deep affection by us.
Ann & Jean Morrill

I have not known Malcolm and Mary very long but was introduced to them when they started attending and supporting the coffee mornings I arrange for Martin House. Our paths also crossed at the joint Rememberance day services at St. Stephens. Malcolm was very much a Gentleman and I feel privileged to have known him. I attended the Service on Friday and thought it was a wonderful tribute to him. Holding Malcolm, Mary and the family in my prayers .

It is difficult to choose the best words to describe how my family and I thought about Malclom, because he was special.
A prodigious worker, at the university as a course tutor and lecturer, at the teacher's centre he created in Manchester,
as a home improver and as a choir member and in other ways at his Chapel, Malclom was a great friend for many years: my son and daughter now 61 and 58 years of age, used to call him Unlce Malclom.
We are sure that everyone who knew Malclom will have the same love and high regard for him.
Kenneth, Gillian and I send our deepest sympathy to Mary, Judith and Jess.

Leslie Davies

I will treasure always my memories of joining Steeton Methodist Church a year ago, and attending the Bible Study. Malcolm's greeting was warm and genuine and in the discussions his knowledge and Christian spirit was stimulating and inspirational.

My wife Mavis and I were truly saddened to hear of Malcolm’s passing, and we send our love and deepest sympathy to Mary, Judith and Jess at this time.

Malcolm and I first met each other over 60 years ago, in early October 1955, when we both enrolled as part of a small cohort of students taking the 4-year Special Studies Chemistry programme at Leeds University. We became close friends during the ensuing four years, seeing each other in lectures and practical classes on an almost daily basis. Known by the nickname ‘Spen’, Malcolm was a popular member of the group. Whilst taking his studies seriously, his sense of humour was always there, together with a willingness to show care and concern for those of us who were experiencing personal difficulties: qualities that I know he showed in abundance during his long career as an academic in the Chemistry Department at Salford University.

After graduating with our BSc degrees we both continued to work for our PhDs in Physical Chemistry. On gaining our doctorates, our paths then diverged as we both moved away from Leeds to posts at different universities, and my own position at Kent University in Canterbury meant that, because of the distance, our personal contact was much less frequent. However I remember with pleasure being invited to stay with Mary and Malcolm at their home in Bury during one of my visits to Salford when I was serving as an external examiner.

In all his wide range of activities, Malcolm touched so many people’s lives for the better – I am genuinely thankful that my life has been one of them.

Malcolm was, and always will be our genuine friend, both as a Steward and support when we preached at Steeton, and when we met him when we went to Male voice choir concerts, and personally when we went with Mary and Malcolm to Bolton Abbey for Picnic's. A gentle and caring soul, who we look forward to meeting again.

Sending our deepest condolences to Mary, Judith and Jess.

Kim, Zoe and Jade Crawford 🌹

"Then I saw a new earth and a new heaven....."
"Changed from glory into glory.....lost in wonder love and praise"
Malcolm thank you for your Christian spirit and sincere friendship.
May you rest in peace and rise in glory.
Nigel

Malcom was my uncle. He taught me to ride a bike. He rewired my parents house in the 1960s (still working perfectly!). But it was only really after my dad (his brother) died that we became close, much closer than I ever expected. We shared family news and memories once or twice a year, but also had many deep conversations over the phone about life and faith. More than blood what brought us together was a shared love of Jesus. I shall always treasure the last visit Shelley and I made to Steeton. We had a walk with Mary and Malcolm at Bolton Abbey, came back to their house for lunch, and then, in the sunshine of their conservatory, prayed for each other. Very special. My brother, and uncle - bless you x

It’s so sad to lose such a lovely, lovely man. We’re really sorry we can’t make it on Friday, but out thoughts and prayers will be with you. We hope the great love in which Malcolm was held by so many people will be a comfort to Mary, Judith and Jess. We got to know Malcolm and Mary shortly after they moved into their newly-built house in our area in the 1960s. We grew to love them, Duncan and Judith, and greatly appreciated being part of the same Christian community. Malcolm’s leadership of the church refurbishment was a powerful expression of his faith. He now rests in peace and will rise in glory. Thanks be to God.

I have felt to be an honorary member of the Spencer family since I went to live with Auntie Alice, Uncle Eric, Brian and Malcolm at the age of 7, while my parents had a prolonged stay in the isolation Hospital. Over the years, our paths have crossed many times, and it's always been a pleasure to catch up with each other's news. His winning smile, kindly eyes and caring attitude are the things for which I shall most remember Malcolm. My daughter Emma and I will be attending.

I first met Malcolm as a fellow post graduate student in the Physical Chemistry Department at Leeds University. I remember him as the kindest of people who never uttered a bad word against anybody and my wife Lynn and I have sent him and his family Christmas Cards ever since returning from UCLA in Los Angeles in 1965 to take up a posting at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington. Regretably, we never visited Malcolm despite visiting our own relatives very often in Stockport and Huddersfield all of whom are now deceased.

Betty and I offer our sincere condolences on the death of Malcolm. Barrie will attend the service at Steeton ,but unfortunately Betty has a broken ankle and finds it difficult to get about.
In his teenage years at Keighley Road Methodist Church, Steeton,I remember helping him to organise an Evangelical Campaign in the village which was very successful. Malcolm was part of a group of young people at the Church in Steeton who became committed Christians and he carried on that commitment throughout his life by his service to the Lord, I was honoured to have Malcolm as best man at our wedding, and then to be groomsman at his a few months later.
Our prayers are with all the family at this time, God bless you all
Barrie and Betty

We are very sorry to hear of Malcolm’s passing. We have fond memories of Malcolm and Mary who were the first neighbours to welcome us in Unsworth. Malcolm was very kind and passionate about gardening.
Our prayers are offered for Mary Judith and the family at this time. Rest in peace Malcolm.
Kailash & Nanu Patel & Gladys Hunter (Unsworth) we will be attending the funeral .

We were so sorry to hear of Malcolm's death. We both have very fond memories of Malcolm. He was a very talented man who had boundless energy . He was one of the driving forces in transforming the building of Whitefield Methodist Church. We remember that when he was moving back to Steeton he spoke in church about the work he had done. Turning to the cross hs said quite simply that he had done the work "for Him".
We send our love to Malcolm's family at this sad time. We are sure that they will be comforted to know that so many people loved Malcolm and to know that he is at peace and with His Saviour who he served so faithfully.

I was so sorry to hear of Malcolm's passing. He was a e real dedicated
worker when he attended Whitefield Methodist and I know if David was still here he had so many memories of play group and all the evenings that were put in. i am sorry I will not be able to attend the funeral as I am holiday with Jeanette and Frank
My prayers are with you
Jean and Family

Malcolm was the first person I met when I went to Whiefield Methodist Church as Minister. MyFamily will never forget his kindness, his wisdom and his wonderful skills which he used as we renovated the church. We are so sorry that we are away on holiday so cannot attend the funeral. Our prayers are offered for Mary and the family at this time and may they have that assurance that Malcolm is resting in peace in God's company.

Malcolm was my tutor at university more than 50 years ago. Along with the other staff he turned my life around, I have seen him do this to many other students. He seemed to know how to turn "pig's ears into silk purses"I will always be grateful for the attention and kindness he gave me.
He laterly became a very dear friend. I will miss our occasional conversations. Rest in peace Malcolm.