Alice West Spencer Altenberg, known variously to her loved ones as Linda, "Big Linda," and Ma, passed away peacefully in New Orleans on the morning of Friday, July 14, 2017. She was born October 31, 1920 in New Orleans to Lewis Cass Spencer, M.D., and Alice Beatrice Smead Spencer. She married her beloved husband, Alfons Ralph Altenberg, M.D., in Ohio on December 4, 1948, and they spent the next 57 years raising their family together in Monroe, Louisiana. She and Al adored deep sea and marsh fishing almost as much as they adored one another, and enjoyed countless hours with family and friends on their boat, Délice. In addition to being the official captain of their boat, Mrs. Altenberg was also a registered nurse, a dedicated homemaker, and an avid, accomplished seamstress. She is predeceased by her aforementioned parents and husband, as well as two sisters, Elizabeth Spencer Roach and Rowena Spencer, M.D. She is survived by one sister, Sara Spencer of Monroe, Louisiana, stepson Alfons Robert Altenberg (Eileen) of Lexington, South Carolina; daughters Linda Altenberg Sins (Kurt) of New Orleans, and Rowena Altenberg Worley of Panama City Beach, Florida; grandchildren John D. Altenberg (Beth), of Lexington, South Carolina, Robert A. Altenberg, of Lexington, South Carolina, Catherine V. Evans (Jim) of Houston, Texas, Richard G. Verlander III, of New Orleans, Elizabeth P. Hickmott (David) of Dallas, Texas, and Anna P. Watts of Monroe, Louisiana. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren. With great fondness and admiration-and no shortage of laughter-Mrs. Altenberg's family and friends will remember her as the thoroughly unconventional woman she prided herself on being: A loving, devoted mother and grandmother who was, in equal proportion, a sassy, opinionated, colorful, and (often brutally) honest old dame. She will be dearly missed. The family would like to thank the wonderful Mrs. Charlotte Marshall and the entire staffs of The Azaleas at Woldenberg Village and Compassus Hospice for the excellent and loving care they provided. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home of Monroe, Louisiana or the Methodist Children's Home of Ruston, Louisiana are preferred. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Pursuant to her wishes, her ashes will be scattered with those of her husband in the Gulf of Mexico.

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