Paula Jean Spatola, a nurse whose 50-year career was defined by quiet compassion, and a devoted animal rescuer who found joy in simple pleasures, died May 27 in Maywood, Illinois. She was 74.
The cause was not specified.
Mrs. Spatola was born Feb. 17, 1952, in Chicago. She spent her nursing career caring for patients in ways she considered deeply meaningful, though she rarely spoke of her work. She was a Christian whose faith shaped how she loved her family and served her community.
Beyond nursing, Mrs. Spatola was actively involved for many years with Illinois Doberman Rescue, fostering and adopting dogs and conducting home visits for prospective adoptive families. She loved reading, spending time at her lake house, and gathering with family and friends.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Ernest Spatola; her daughter, Tina Mainwaring, and her husband, Darin; two granddaughters, Taylor and Taryn Mainwaring; her brother, James Fordyce; her sister, Pamela Davis, and her husband, Steven; her nephew, Timothy Tacker, and his partner, Anthea Williams; and nine nieces and nephews and 22 great-nieces and great-nephews through her husband’s family, including Linda Stolz, Jeanne Farmer and her husband, Pat, Michelle Heckenest and her husband, Frank, and Michael Spatola and his wife, Tammy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lois and Dale Fordyce; her sister, Gail Brown, and her husband, Mike.
Visitation is Saturday, May 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Ave., Justice. A service and time of remembrance will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at Bethania Cemetery in Justice.