Margaret W. Spicer

Margaret "Targ" Wicks Spicer died peacefully on Thursday April 9, 2015, surrounded by her family. She was 90 years old, and she and her husband John had just celebrated their 62nd anniversary. Targ was born on February 20, 1925 in Holyoke MA, to Eleanor MacMaster Wicks and Robert Russell Wicks.

She graduated from Miss Fines School in Princeton, NJ, and earned her BA at Smith College. Following her graduation she worked as a teacher at the Buckingham School in Cambridge, MA. She and John met at a square dance in Westport Point, MA, and were married in Little Compton, RI on April 4, 1953. They lived in Paris, France immediately following the marriage, then in Providence, RI, Brookline, MA, and finally settling in South Newfane VT since 1977.

Targ learned the craft of wooden boat model building from her father, and starting while she was in Brookline she had a business making and restoring boat models. She was adept at large scale carpentry, and helped to build additions to their house in Westport, as well as helping to renovate their home in Vermont. Targ was interested in a variety of crafts, and she loved sailing, Nordic skiing, maple sugaring, gardening, brush clearing, paddling, and camping, but most of all she loved doing these things with her family. She spent every summer in Westport Point, MA, where the Wicks family gathers. She traveled across the country with her family several times, by car and train. Along the way they would camp, hike, ride horses, always with lots of fun and laughing. Targ played the piano and was a member of a number of singing groups, including the Lexington Choral Society and the Brattleboro Community Chorus, performing in 7 Gilbert and Sullivan operettas in the Brattleboro area.

In addition to her boat model business and varied interests, Targ contributed generously to her community. She volunteered at the Southeastern Vermont Regional Library, the Moore Free Library of Newfane VT, the Historical Society of Windham County VT, and All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Brattleboro VT. She served on the board of the Brattleboro Music Center, and was Chair of the Friends of the Moore Free Library, where she established the annual book sale which is now their primary fundraising event. In 2002 she and John were both honored with the Community People Award from Brattleboro Savings and Loan. Targ will be remembered for her welcoming nature, her positive outlook on life and her great sense of humor. She valued family above all, and welcomed everyone into her family.

She is predeceased by a sister, 3 brothers, and a nephew.

She is survived by her husband, John Spicer; four children, Matt Spicer and his wife Charlotte of
Scituate, MA, Beth Spicer of Brattleboro, VT, Doug Spicer and his wife Betsy of Cape Elizabeth ME, and Meg Spicer and her wife Lisa Harris of South Newfane VT; five grandchildren, Andrew Spicer, Nora Gordon, Sam Spicer, Nat Spicer, and Max Spicer, as well as many extended family members.

There are two celebrations of Targ's life: one at the All Souls Church in West Brattleboro VT on May 10, 2015 at 2:00 PM, and the other will be held at the Westport Point United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 2:00 PM. The KER-WESTERLUND FUNERAL HOME, Brattleboro, VT is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to the Moore Free Library of Newfane, 23 West St., Newfane VT 05345, the Brattleboro Music Center 38 Walnut St., Brattleboro VT 05301, or the Westport River Watershed Alliance, 1151 Main Rd. Westport, MA 02790.