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Lena Spencer
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"Compromise, that I could never do"
—Lena Spencer
Lena Spencer, (1923-1989): actress, coffeehouse proprietress, community activist and co-founder of Caffè Lena was born Pasqualina Rosa Nargi on January 4, 1923 in Milford, Massachusetts to Italian immigrants.
In her youth, Lena spent weekends in New York City where she was introduced to jazz music and theater, performed with an amateur theater group in Boston, worked for a Rubber Factory during WWII and later as a waitress in her father`s restaurant, and held a position at a radio station where she met future President John F. Kennedy on his campaign tour of Massachusetts.
 | Lena Spencer
Photographer Unknown |
In 1958, Lena married Bill Spencer, a part-time instructor and a student at the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts. In 1959 the idea of opening a coffeehouse was conceived by the Spencers as a moneymaking venture, to allow the couple to retire in Europe. On May 20, 1960, Lena and Bill Spencer opened "Caffè Lena."
After two years, Bill Spencer left Lena to run the Caffè alone, with the help of her "extended family" of volunteers and helpers. Lena Spencer, a well-known Saratoga Springs Community member, dedicated herself to her Caffè and her community.
In 1973, Lena helped local Skidmore College students found student-run "Lively Lucy's Coffeehouse" which still exists today. In the later 1970s, Lena had her own radio show on Skidmore's WSPN called, "Lena's Open Door." In 1987 Skidmore College honored Lena with an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
Lena's on-screen debut as an actress came in 1987 when she played a "a slatternly woman" opposite Meryl Streep in Ironweed, a feature film based on the book by William Kennedy. The city of Saratoga Springs honored her talents and contributions in 1987, renaming Hamilton Alley "Lena Lane." On March 15, 1989, Lena was honored with the Saratoga Arts Council's first lifetime achievement award. Over the years there have been over 7 Lena Spencer Days recognized by the city of Saratoga Springs.
On September 10, 1989, Lena suffered a fall on her way to see Spalding Gray perform at The Egg in Albany, New York, and went into a coma. On October 23, 1989, Lena died at age 66 in Ellis Hospital- Schenectady, New York.
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Lena Spencer
Photographer Unknown |
"Compiled and edited by Jocelyn
Arem, Caffè Lena historian/Board of Directors with special thanks to
the Saratoga History Museum"
This project is made possible by the generous support of The Sparkplug Foundation & Skidmore College’s President’s Discretionary Fund
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