Donna Marie (Metz) Spano

Donna was born November 7, 1938 to Robert and Lorraine Metz in Chicago Illinois the second of 7 children. Donna had a busy and happy childhood growing up in a household of nine, she graduated from Blue Island Community High School in 1956. On June 8, 1957 Donna married her high school sweetheart, Tony Spano. In April of 1958 they welcomed their first son Michael into the world to be followed in 1959 by son Tony and in 1961 son Larry. Donna wanted a girl and was blessed in 1965 with the birth of Lisa Marie the daughter she had wanted. Now with the family set in 1972 Donna and family moved to Arizona to be close to family members who had already relocated to the Southwest. In 1978 Donna began selling Real Estate with her boys all having graduated high school and Lisa close to doing so.

Donna sold real estate for 5 years but was always fascinated by law. Her children remember watching episodes of Perry Mason with her. Donna enrolled in College and in September of 1991 she graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies. She then took on jobs at a couple prestigious law firms in Sun City and finally retiring from the Arizona Attorney General Office.

Donna loved art and reading, she was an avid painter and left us with some very special pieces to admire and enjoy for years to come. Puzzles were another of her passions, she loved the challenge and could sit for hours putting them together sometimes with the help of her daughter in law Lisa or with one of her grandchildren. Family was the Most important thing in her life by far. Donna was famous for her birthday dinners and holiday gatherings. She made the absolute best Spaghetti and Meatballs and Lasagna. Donna loved her sisters. They would meet weekly for sisters day lunch and they took turns picking the place to eat.

Donna has seven Grandchildren, Shanna, Joey, Nick, Erin, Michael, Vincent and Lauren and seven Great Grandchildren, Alexis, Courtney, Michael, Sidney, Samantha, Peyton and Dominic.

Even with all of that she never seemed to forget a birthday, send a card and make a phone call. Family was her lifeblood and she excelled at keeping us together. ALL of us will miss her greatly, especially her smile, wisdom, company and cooking. We all know she is happy and pain free now and reunited with previously departed loved ones and Jesus. She has a front row seat to the best sunsets anywhere and you can bet she is painting them!

Donna was preceded in death by her Father and Mother, husband Tony, brothers Art and Bob, her sister Debbie and her first grandson Joey. She is survived by her sons Michael (Linda), Tony (Sara Lisa), Larry (Holly) and daughter Lisa (Alan), her sisters Darlene, Deanna, Dolores and sisters in law Janet and Paula. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Donna was a charitable Christian women as shown by her giving and faith in God. Donna was the rock that our family foundation was built on and she will forever be in our hearts and in our memories. We love you more than you could ever know Mom, rest easy now and paint us a beautiful sunset some summer evening. Words could never say what you meant to ALL of us and we will live better knowing you are at peace now.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children's Hospital: St. Jude Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. www.stjude.org