Joanne F. (Chula) Spencer, 83, of Main Street died 12/3/23 at the Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield.  She was born in Greenfield on September 30, 1940, the daughter of Joseph and Stefania (Kwasnieski) Chula.  Joanne attended local schools and was a graduate of Greenfield High School.  After graduation, she continued her education at Shepherd-Gill School of Practical Nursing in Boston and fulfilled her plan to become a nurse. She held many different nursing positions before her retirement, most recently working for Dr. Alan McClelland in Greenfield. 

Joanne was predeceased by her beloved husband and dance partner of 50+ years, Rodman Spencer, on August 17, 2021. 

She had many interests and hobbies. She loved to kayak and eventually served as an instructor. She was an avid skier and remained active in that hobby until 2020. Those who knew Joanne best, knew that she was passionate about dancing. If dancing was on the schedule at any of their favorite local venues, you could count on Joanne and Rod to be there, ready to dance the night away. If Roddy got too tired and couldn’t keep up, Joanne would happily dance alone.

Joanne had a devilish sense of humor and an enormous laugh. She was warm, kind and immensely compassionate. She was fiercely independent and outspoken, often remarking how life would be easier if she could “just keep my mouth shut”, but also knowing full well that she usually couldn’t. She loved her entire family, despite the normal quirks and dysfunction found in any family. She worried about them, bragged about them, protected them, resented them, forgave them - but always kept on loving them. 

She was especially proud of her nieces, Andrea (Javarauckas) and Kimberley (Maguire), to whom she was known as “Cioci” (aunt). She was a huge influence in their lives, right from the start. She happily hosted all the major holidays at her home, going all-out with decorations and preparing huge, traditional Polish meals. It was often hard to tell who was more excited about the arrival of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny – Cioci or the children.

In addition to her nieces, Joanne leaves her brother, William “Bill” Chula of Windsor, CT; Andrea’s husband, Ken, and daughter, Jill, of Windsor, CT; Kim’s husband, Conor, and two sons, Liam and Kieran, of Cumberland, RI.

The family would like to thank Kathleen Sullivan and the staff of Homecare for Independent Living, who lovingly cared for Joanne over the last year or two, after a stroke left her wheelchair-bound.

A memorial service will be held Friday 12/29 at 11am at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 220 Federal Street, Greenfield.  Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.  

There will be no calling hours. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. A donation page has been set up and can be found here:

https://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR?fr_id=9412&s_participantTrID=9412&pg=personal&px=13947064

For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com.