Tributes

With profound sadness, we share the passing of Susan Tose Spencer, a remarkable woman whose strength, intelligence, and pioneering spirit left an indelible mark on the world. Susan passed away at home on March 24, 2025, surrounded by the family she cherished. Our hearts are broken, but we are forever grateful for the love, wisdom, and courage she inspired in all of us. Born in Norristown, PA, Susan was the daughter of Leonard Tose, former owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Jayne Achter, who both instilled in Susan the tenacity and grace that defined her life. Susan was preceded in death by her parents as well as her husband of 26 years, Bob Spencer. Susan was a trailblazer in every sense of the word. And she excelled in everything she undertook. As the first and only female General Manager, legal counsel, and Vice President in NFL history, she shattered barriers in professional football, paving the way for future generations of women in sports. Her leadership, resilience, and brilliance were unmatched, and she carried herself with the perfect balance of fierceness and elegance. Susan embodied this spirit with her signature look - always wearing one of her Hermès scarves or tying one to her handbag or briefcase. Her journey began in the classroom-Susan was a teacher before earning her law degree from Villanova Law School, where she was a Moot Court winner. A proud Boston University graduate, she combined intellect with an entrepreneurial spirit, founding Papillon, a tennis dress design business, long before women's athletic wear became mainstream. She later authored Briefcase Essentials, a five-star book about leadership and navigating male-dominated industries, and co-authored Football Freddie and Fumble the Dog: GameDay in the USA, a children's book series that blends football, history, and education. Susan believed deeply in giving back. She founded A Level Playing Field, a charity dedicated to helping high school students play sports, ensuring that every young athlete had the resources and opportunities they needed to succeed. Beyond her professional and philanthropic achievements, Susan's greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, the heart and soul of her family, and the fiercest protector and champion of those she loved. She leaves behind her dear daughter, Marnie, and her adoring grandchildren, Jonathan, Goldie, and Leo, who will forever cherish the lessons, laughter, and unwavering love she shared with them. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Michael Fletcher, Faith Segal, Todd Spencer, Lori Mann, BJ, and Craig Spencer, and step-grandchildren. Susan is also survived by her sister, Nan Schwartz, and nieces, Carole and Michelle. And, of course, we can't forget Susan's beloved dogs, Irving, Cash, Mark, and Boom, who were her constant companions, bringing her joy and comfort every single day. For almost ten years, Susan bravely battled dementia, doing so with grace and perseverance. Her illness brought Susan to North Carolina where she lived with her daughter and grandchildren. Doing life together under one roof provided the opportunity to create countless memories, which will be cherished forever by Susan's family. Daughter, Marnie, patiently and graciously served as Susan's primary caregiver. Each morning, Marnie and Susan would share some "alone time" as they watched the sun rise together before the caregivers' arrival. Her dedicated caregivers, Michelle, Satoya, Bonnie, and Sherrie, took impeccable care of Susan, always making her feel comfortable and special. Outside of her family, Susan made many lifelong friends on her journey. As one of those fortunate friends, Leslie Stephenson Matz was grateful to be part of Susan's life for fifty years. She and others were privy to the "soft" and "playful" side of Susan, who orchestrated "wine time" every Friday afternoon after work at the Eagles, made sure there were fresh flowers in the office each week (thank you, Ann Catania!), and served as a tough but caring mentor to so many female friends. By selecting Ann and Jerry Catania's florist shop as the "Official Florist of the Philadelphia Eagles," Susan put their female-led company on the map. She had a heart for helping others succeed, making them feel very special and loved in the process. This love extended to her students at the beginning of her career. One of Susan's students, Mark Harris, recalled her passionate determination, wanting her students to learn as much as possible. Mark said that Susan was a fairy princess to their young minds and carried her own fairy dust to boot. While Susan worked tirelessly, she also found time to relax, especially at her ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She and her husband, Bob, enjoyed spending time there with their horses and dear friends, Dr. Thom and Maureen Mayer. Susan's legacy extends far beyond her family, friends, and remarkable accomplishments. She was a woman of kindness, sharp wit, and an unshakable spirit, always standing up for what was right, always driven to make our world a better place. Her presence was a force-strong, elegant, and truly unforgettable. Though we are devastated by this loss, we find comfort in knowing that Susan's love, strength, and incredible impact will live on in all of us. A celebration of Susan's extraordinary life will be held in Philadelphia on September 18th after her enshrinement in the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to The Eagles Autism Challenge (Eagles Autism Foundation), the Brian Westbrook Foundation (Home ' The Brian Westbrook), or the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund (Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund ' Helping Veteran NFL Players in Need). Susan Tose Spencer was a force of nature, a trailblazer, and most of all, a deeply loved and cherished mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. We love you, Mommy. Forever and always...

Tributes

Susan Tose Spencer

August 1, 1941 - March 24, 2025