Josephine Phoebe Spain

Phoebe was born in Torrington, Connecticut on April 28th, 1924. She was the eldest of three children, born to Italian parents, Angelo and Louise Signorelli with two siblings, Robert and Richard Signorelli, all of whom have pre-deceased her. In 1941, Phoebe performed an original piano composition for her high school as their class graduation song. Subsequently, she was awarded a scholarship to attend Catholic University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing Education. As she further pursued a Nursing Professorship, Phoebe received journalistic notice from the Washington DC press for innovative developments in teaching.

In 1949, she married Hillery David Spain of Durham, N.C., fully devoting herself to being a homemaker and raising four daughters. She volunteered as a school nurse at Our Lady of Fatima School in Wilton, Connecticut. In addition, she shared her amazing seamstress talents as principal costume designer for Holy Cross Academy musical productions in Kensington, MD, including The King and I, Carousel, and The Sound of Music. Phoebe also enjoyed participating in sports as an avid tennis player at Lakewood Country Club in Rockville, MD, and the Head of the Bay Club in Huntington, NY.

In 1987, as empty nesters, Phoebe and Hillery moved to Top of The World in Clearwater, Florida. There, Phoebe enjoyed dancing, painting, choir, bereavement ministry, Eucharistic ministry, and activities with LIADO club including the annual San Gennaro Festa scholarship fundraiser.

In 2009, after 60 years of marriage, Phoebe’s beloved husband Hillery passed away. Her sister-in-law, Edith Spain and niece Beth Spain Hughes renewed their close friendship with her as they frequented to Clearwater from Jacksonville, extending hospitality for many family celebrations. Eventually, after 30 wonderful years in Florida, Phoebe said farewell to special friends and settled near her youngest daughter Donna in Arizona. Donna and her family were thrilled to enjoy such close proximity, affording them a special blessing to treasure their relationship with a loving, faith-filled mother and grandmother.

Josephine Phoebe is survived by her daughter Deborah (Richard) Kammerer, grandchildren: Melanie (David) Allen, William Kammerer, Phoebe Kammerer, Nancy (Brian) LaRochelle, great granddaughter Amelia LaRochelle; daughter Dianne Barkey, grandchildren: Lauren Barkey, Christopher Barkey (deceased); daughter Denise (Michael) Mahr, granddaughter Rachael (Justin) Kirk, great grandchildren: Addison Kirk, Makenzy Kirk, Josiah Kirk, Hailey Kirk, granddaughter Danielle (Donald) Patnode, great grandchildren: Michael Patnode, Nathanael Patnode, Ameliah Patnode; grandchildren: Michael Jr. Mahr, Gabriel (Emalee) Mahr, great grandchildren: Jaxon Mahr, Gideon Mahr, Lilah Mahr; granddaughter Israel Mahr; daughter Donna (Brian) Raum, granddaughter Jacqueline (Mark) Walsh, great grandchildren: Connor Walsh, Camryn Walsh, Corban Walsh, grandchildren: James (Nicole) Munson, Brionna Raum, Nicole (Caden) Tonkinson, Dillon (Mikaela) Raum, Jordan Raum, Morgan Raum, Madison Raum.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held on Thursday September 8th at 9:30 am at Saint Rose Catholic Church, 2825 W. Rose Canyon Circle, Anthem, AZ 85086. The Mass will be preceded by a viewing at 8:45 am and followed by a reception at 10:30 am. For our friends and family who are unable to attend in person, the Mass will be live streamed at StRoseAnthem.com. Gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Rose Catholic Church by mail or online at: https://www.wesharegiving.org/app/giving/WeShare-2050?tab=home

Floral gifts may be sent to Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary by September 7th.

In addition, there will be a Celebration of Life Mass in Clearwater, Florida, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 750 San Salvador Drive, Dunedin, FL 34698 on a future date to be determined in late October. Gifts may also be sent there in Phoebe’s name. Their website for online giving is https://ourladydunedin.org/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.phoenixmemorialmortuary.com for the Spain family.