Lewiston, Maine - Some people are born with a light so bright that no amount of hardship can dim it, and Katie was exactly that kind of soul. On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, she stepped into perfect, painless peace. She didn't need a massive stage to leave a mark; she was the absolute center of her own universe, and she filled every single room she walked into with her vibrant, joyful personality. She never met a stranger. If you talked to her for five minutes, she'd know and remember your whole life story, forever etched in her memory. She remembered everything about you - partially out of curiosity, but mostly because she just genuinely cared. Her day-to-day world on this earth may have been small, but she was our entire world. She went through life with a quick joke, a completely pure and gentle spirit, and a heart that knew nothing but kindness.

Katie's whole life was a masterclass in beating the odds. She was born with complex medical challenges and spent her lifetime rewriting the script and blowing past every statistic. The last few years were undeniably the worst, bringing her toughest battles yet, but her spirit never wavered. Her time here was a total victory, and a testament to what happens when you just refuse to stop loving life.

None of this would have been possible without her parents, Rita and John Spencer. Her mom, Rita, literally dedicated her entire life to being Katie's full-time caretaker, protector, and best friend. Because of her mom's tireless love and her dad's steady support, Katie's days - especially during the steep hills of these last few years - were always anchored in total comfort, safety and dignity at home.

Katie possessed a rare and beautiful gift - a lifelong, pure childlike wonder that the hardships of the world could never steal from her. Katie lived by a simple rule: she just loved big. When she loved something, she loved it with everything she had. Her world was packed with Disney magic - she knew every movie by heart, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse held the highest honors. She loved music, audiobooks, her computer, and the simple joy of swinging. She found pure happiness in the best simple things: the beauty of a birdsong, the excitement of pizza night, and the quiet comfort of her dad reading books to her every single day.

Katie also had a deeply nurturing heart. She absolutely adored her two reborn babies, Nicholas and Natali, and would spend hours changing their outfits, feeding them, and rocking them to sleep.

She hit some incredibly proud milestones, too, including going to Perkins School for the Blind in Boston. She also had a lifelong friend, Chris Maddocks, and was always guided and cheered on by her beloved childhood teacher who taught her at home, Lori Spencer, who always held a special place in her heart.

But the absolute center of Katie's universe was her nephew, Landyn. She adored him beyond measure. Katie would drop everything for Landyn in a heartbeat - it didn't matter if her favorite TV show was on or if she was completely exhausted and trying to rest; if Landyn was there, she was all his. One of the proudest moments of her life was being the one to patiently teach Landyn how to roll over when he was a baby. She wore that love on her sleeve quite literally, consistently choosing her favorite shirt with Landyn's picture on it every single day it was clean.

Katie leaves behind a family who fought for her happiness every single day: her devoted parents, John and Rita Spencer; her sister, Kelly Aikens and her husband, Korey; and her favorite person in the world, Landyn. She is also survived and deeply missed by her loving aunts, uncles, cousins as well cherished family friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved paternal grandparents, Charles and Gloria Spencer; and maternal grandparents, Irving and Ruth Oakes.

Katie's story isn't about what she faced, but how much she loved. She fought an incredible fight, won the hearts of everyone she ever met, and left the world so much brighter.

A celebration of Katie's life will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bangor. Because Katie believed a stranger was just a friend she hadn't met yet, we warmly invite anyone whose path she crossed to join us. Whether you knew her for years or just shared a passing smile, your presence is welcome as we celebrate the joy she left behind. In keeping with Katie's bright spirit, we ask that you leave traditional black behind and wear vibrant, happy colors. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Katie's memory to the Bangor Humane Society.