Darlene Ann Spalo, nee Kucera, 77, passed away peacefully in Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph, Mich., on April 14, 2023.
Born in 1945, she was the middle daughter of Henry James Kucera and Adeline Lauferski of Clarendon Hills. She attended Hinsdale Township High School and worked in Chicago after graduation in 1963.
She met her husband, Michael Frank Spalo, on the ski slopes of Four Lakes in Lisle. They took part in skydiving activities and spent many happy times together with lifelong friends made as members of the Hinsdale Trolls Ski Club. They were married in 1964.
They made their home in Glen Ellyn, where they raised their three children and partook in many village activities. Darlene often staged puppet shows for children in the community and did much volunteer work. Mike was employed with the airlines, so they were able to travel extensively. Unfortunately, Darlene was widowed with his untimely death in 1982, after which she went to work full time to support their children. She worked for a computer data company, a health club, the Morton Arboretum, the FDIC and later became a live-in caregiver to the elderly in Boca Raton, Fla.; Rye, N.Y.; and Paw Paw, Mich., which ultimately led to her final move to southwest Michigan.
Settling in Lawrence, Mich., Darlene became active in her community, volunteering many hours with the Lawrence Library, where she gathered books throughout the year at estate and garage sales to organize and conduct the very successful Book Fair during the Annual Ox Roast Days over Labor Day weekend. Darlene also recently received an honorary gratitude award for 10 years volunteer service from the Lakeview Foundation Community Thrift Shop in Paw Paw.
Darlene is survived by her children, Cindy Spalo, Scott Spalo and Nicole Spalo Juriga; her sisters, Terry and Judy; her grandchildren, Steven, Matthew, Samantha, Ashley, Jennifer, Michael, Charles and Rebecca; her great-grandchildren, Kylie, Ellie and Timothy; and her five nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held later this summer for friends and family members who wish to partake.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made by sending a check to The Friends of the Lawrence Library, P.O. Box 186 Lawrence, MI 49064 ATTN: Spalo Memorial.
