Laura Elizabeth (Hunt) Spalding

Laura Elizabeth Hunt Spalding, known to some as “Beth”, was born on January 30th, 1936 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and passed away surrounded by her family in Park Ridge, IL on December 18th, 2024. 

Laura graduated from Ursuline College (now Bellarmine) with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and later received her Master’s Degree in Art History from Northern Illinois University. The arts were always a central element of her life.  She worked in administration for the Music of the Baroque and Lake Forest Symphony, wrote and published poetry, sang in the church choir and enjoyed a variety of live music as well as poetry and storytelling events.  She was joyful, kind, curious and quick to laugh.  Above all it was her family that was her greatest source of pride. 

She was a loving mother to Leonard (Janet) Spalding III, Laura (John) Carani, Thomas (Jennifer) Spalding, Sally “Sal” (Baird) Campbell and Mary Ann Spalding, who died in infancy. She took enormous pride as well in all of her grandkids: Sienna Spalding, Chelsea (Ty) Roberts, David (Jessica) Carani, Christina (Patrick) Powers, Mary (Richard) Salhus, Margaret, Daniel, Joseph, Jack and Catherine Carani, Samantha (Lance) Davis, Joshua, Bennett, Ryan and Thomas Spalding, Mads and Emmett Campbell, and the late Thomas Jr., Brian and Allison Spalding; and her great-grandkids: Eli, Louisa and Colin Carani, Alanna and Estelle Powers, Kendall, Nolan and Morgan Davis, and Oliver, Liam and Noah Salhus. Daughter of the late Henry Wilson Hunt and the late Frances Palmer Hunt, sister to Paula Fangman (the late Thomas) and Rose Cooper. In addition, she was a beloved aunt, cousin, and friend to many.

On December 27th, a visitation was held at 11:00 am at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home, 120 South Northwest Highway in Park Ridge, IL, followed by a funeral mass at 12:30 pm next door at Saint. Paul’s Catholic Church, 320 South Washington Street, Park Ridge, IL 60068.

Committal Service, Saturday, January 25, 2025, 11:00 am at Cap Anderson Cemetery, Brandenburg, KY

A Celebration of Life will also be held in Brandenburg, KY at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to 

Music of the Baroque

25 East Washington Street, Suite 823

Chicago, Illinois 60602  in her honor would be most appreciated. 

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