‘Peanuts’ Superfan Gets Sneak Peek at Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum Exhibit

WHEELING -- Mary Spencer has been a fan of Snoopy and the "Peanuts" gang ever since she was a child, and it has been the Snoopy character who has brought her comfort in recent months as she continues to experience medical challenges.

On Saturday, Spencer -- a resident of Vienna, West Virginia -- and her husband Bill made the trip to Wheeling to visit the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum and get a glimpse of a Peanuts exhibit there that opens July 22.

The exhibit is made up of Peanuts-themed items collected by Wheeling Dr. William Mercer during the course of his life and career.

Spencer's friend, Linda McLean, saw a prior story about the exhibit that first ran in The Intelligencer last summer, then was picked up by many other media throughout the world. McLean was quick to point it out to Simpson.

Spencer wanted to see the exhibit, but she was afraid she might not live until it opened. She has been battling cancerous tumors in her lungs for the past three years.

McLean contacted Mercer to see if Spencer could somehow get an early visit to the exhibit before it opens. That sneak peak took place on Saturday.

Spencer, accompanied by husband Bill, was filled with exuberance Saturday as she examined the items.

She explained she "has good and bad days," after having been diagnosed with synovial sarcoma. It's a type of cancer that forms in soft tissue, and in her case it was the lungs.

Spencer said during her hospital stays there has been one item that always accompanied her -- a stuffed blue Snoopy toy.

Her love of Peanuts began as a child when her father would read the comic strip to her each day. Her mother would go on to purchase her Snoopy items.

"I wish I had that stuff now, but I don't," Spencer said.

But she has made up for it. She has created a "Snoopy room" within a spare bedroom of her home, which is decorated with Peanuts memorabilia.

Her husband Bill has even painted one of the walls in a pattern to resemble Charlie Brown's yellow T-shirt, and a second one with a mural depicting Snoopy and the Red Baron.

Spencer now has more items for the room.

Jean Schulz, the widow of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, sent her through Mercer a signed letter of inspiration which Mercer had framed. There was also a signed Snoopy toy from Schulz.

Mercer, in turn, presented Spencer with a Snoopy "Joe Too Cool To Vape" T-shirt on Saturday.

Spencer wants to come back to Wheeling for the opening of the museum.

"If I can, and if I'm healthy enough and he (Bill) can drive, I'll definitely come back," Spencer said.