in december 1958 spencer was diagnosed with cancer. he underwent an operation at the canadian red cross memorial hospital on the cliveden estate in 1959. after his operation, he went to stay with friends in dewsbury. there, over five days from july 12 to july 16 he painted a final self-portrait. "self-portrait" (1959) shows a fierce, almost defiant individual. lord astor made arrangements so that spencer could move into his childhood home, fernlea, and he died of cancer at the canadian red cross memorial hospital in december that year. at the time of his death "christ preaching at cookham regatta" remained unfinished at his home. spencer was cremated and his ashes laid in cookham churchyard, beside the path through to bellrope meadow. a discreet stone memorial marks the spot. the commemorative wording is: "to the memory of stanley spencer kt. cbe ra, 1891–1959, and his wife hilda, buried in cookham cemetery 1950. everyone that loveth is born of god and knoweth god: he that loveth not knoweth not god, for god is love."