In Memory

Jeanne Tatar (Spada)

Obituary - Jeanne Tatar – Baldwin High School Class of 1978

May 5, 1960 - January 12, 2021

Published in Charlotte Observer on Jan. 23, 2021.

Charlotte, North Carolina - On January 12, 2021 Jeanne Marie Tatar, formerly of Whitehall, PA, died at the age of 60 at her home in Charlotte, NC from an apparent heart attack. Beloved wife of Richard Spada, dearly loved daughter of Stanley and Marie Tatar, Sister-in-law to Becky Spada (Rick) Clapp of Annapolis, MD and aunt to Allison Struiksma (Spada) of Salt Lake City, UT and Lauren Monroe of Annapolis, MD.

She was passionate about learning and experiencing the world around her. A National English Teachers Writing Award Recipient in High School, she was listed in the Who's Who of America's Names and Faces in 1977. Jeanne went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh. These passions were expressed through extensive travel throughout Europe and Central America and seeking from a young age to connect with diverse people always reaching out. She worked for WQED TV, The University of Pittsburgh, Spirit Square Center for the Arts in Charlotte, NC and Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte over her career.

Jeanne was compassionate, empathetic and understanding which led her to work with Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte where among many many things she pioneered a relationship with Charlotte Habitat's sister city Santa Anna, El Salvador which thrives still today. Jeanne later started an art import business, Emerging World Artists, to assist Central American artists find markets in the United States. Unfortunately this venture had to be abandoned when she developed chronic fatigue syndrome. This affliction led to years of battling not only chronic fatigue but also chronic pain and depression.

For her family beyond giving love and contagious enthusiasm, she established a cherished tradition of gathering at the beach in Stone Harbor, NJ every year. Through all of this her greatest passion and compassion was for animals. She took in 22 stray dogs and 9 stray cats over the years while rescuing all types of animals and returning or finding new homes for more pets than can be counted.

In lieu of flowers or gifts please donate to The Environmental Defense Fund, PETA, The Humane Society of Charlotte or Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte.

A memorial will be planned for after the Covid-19 pandemic subsides.

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

No memorial events are currently scheduled. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Carolina Funeral & Cremation Center

5505 Monroe Road

Charlotte, NC 28212

(704) 568-0023



 
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02/28/21 09:14 PM #1    

Ed So

R.I.P Jeanne.  The photo below is from Jeanne obituary.


03/02/21 08:38 PM #2    

Rich Spada

Video of Jeanne includes images until she was 42.  Two years later she started feeling the effects of chronic fatigue and by 2008 it had advanced to being disabling and she had to stop working even part time. So I've strung together images of the better years. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U1dLmVrP0a0zISZ0DVptx-MdMphtiAsm/view?usp=sharing


03/03/21 06:58 PM #3    

Ed Vesely

Rich,

What a wonderful tribute to Jeanne.  Thanks for sharing.

Ed


03/04/21 06:30 PM #4    

Rich Spada

I'm really impressed by how many people have sent messages and thank you. I've been posting a lot of pictures and memories to Facebook and I post them to the public so no one would have to friend me if interested. Up until last month when Jeanne passed I was mostly a social media viewer. Jeanne loved the extremes and there are so many things we did that I never would have dreamed without her.  For instance, she ended up loving roughing it in Central America carrying a backpack onto the chicken buses. She was a pretty good rock climber and we learned to rappel because we were going to need to do it for a short cut to a natural hot spring in Guatemala.  The hike back up was rough. I also got to sing Yakety Yak with the Coasters going 70 MPH while driving them from Charlotte to Wilmington in a 12 passenger van.  As I find pictures and things I'm posting it to my FB page so anyone is welcome who might be interested.    https://www.facebook.com/rich.spada.3/

Thanks again for your condolences.  I've been through receiving lines for my brother and parents and am glad I can do it virtually for Jeanne.  That would have been a lot to bear. 


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