Lorraine Spencer

LEBANON – Lorraine Spencer died on Friday, June 11, 2021 at the Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Twp., NJ.

Born in Kearny, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Congressman Fred A. Hartley, Jr. co-author of the Taft-Hartley Law and sister of the well-known cartoonist Al Hartley who died in 2003.  Her mother, Hazel Hartley, died in 2004 at the age of 101 and was the oldest living congressional widow at the time of her death. 

She attended Kearny High School but graduated from Frenchtown High School in 1944 after the family moved to Hunterdon County.  She studied Poultry Husbandry at Rutger’s and worked on the family farm.  She had previously worked as a telephone operator in Newark, NJ and later at Commercial Dress Co. in High Bridge, NJ.

She was predeceased by her husband of 33 years, former Mayor of Lebanon Borough, John J. Spencer, Sr. and her first husband of 23 years, Harry J. Hermann.  She is also predeceased by two brothers, Al Hartley and Jack Hartley.

She is survived by her three sons; Craig Hermann (Lois) of Pittstown, Bob Hermann (Lois) of Milford and Jim Hermann of Lebanon.  In addition to her three sons, she is survived by four step-sons, John Spencer (Karen) of Mainesburg, PA, James Spencer (Becky) of Stanton, Jerry Spencer (Chrisy) of Columbia Crossroads, PA, and Jeffrey Spencer (Debbie) of Lebanon Township and two step-daughters; Linda Mikels (Mark) of Apple Valley, CA and Loralee Fryer (Cory) of Highlands Ranch, CO.  Thirty-four grandchildren, Fifty-seven great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

A longtime member of the Clinton Baptist Church, now known as South Ridge Community Church, she was also a member of the Gideon International Auxiliary.

Visitation will take place on Friday, June 18, 2021 from 7-9pm at Scarponi-Bright Funeral Home, 26 Main Street, Lebanon, NJ.  Funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 10am at South Ridge Community Church, 7 Pittstown Road, Clinton, NJ.  Interment will follow at Union Cemetery in Lebanon.

Memorial contribution can be made to South Ridge Community Church, 7 Pittstown Road, Clinton, NJ 08809. 

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