Rev. Carol Chace Spelman passed away peacefully surrounded by family in hospice care after ten years of Parkinson’s Disease.
She was born in California the daughter of Stewart F. and Ruth Chace. She is survived by brother Stewart E. Chace, husband Donald Spelman, son Jeffrey Spelman (husband Ivan Lo), daughter Kim Spelman (husband Michael MacAdams) and grandchildren Dylan Spelman-Hall and Joshua Spelman-Hall.
Carol attended the New Providence High School. In 1961 she met the love of her life, Donald, at a movie theater in Summit, NJ. They married on December 21, 1963 at the New Providence Presbyterian Church and lived first in Highland Park. They soon moved to Kendall Park and started raising a family moving to Berkeley Heights and then lived many years in Watchung, NJ. As a young mother she volunteered with friends helping intercity children and young families. There are many fond memories of rides in wood paneled station wagons, making candy cane cookies, holiday gatherings, summer vacations with family in Stone Harbor and supporting the many activities of her busy family. She absolutely loved being “Nana” the grandmother and was tremendously proud of the artistic talents of Dylan and Josh.
She had a rich education receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and English (Trenton State College), a Masters of Divinity (Drew University) and an Ed.S. in Professional Counseling (Seton Hall University).
In her early career she was a nursery teacher. As her children got older, she felt the calling into ministry attending divinity school and was eventually ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. She served as Pastor of the Springdale United Methodist Church in Warren, NJ (1982), Associate Pastor of the Cranford United Methodist Church (1985), and Pastor of Community United Methodist Church in Kenilworth (1992). In 1995 she became a Staff Therapist at the Cranford Center for Human Development. In 2006 she moved to Maryland and worked as Staff Therapist at Counseling and Support Services in Havre de Grace, Key Point Health Service in Aberdeen, and Alliance Mental Health Clinic in Bel Air. She retired in 2016 once she could no longer drive with the Parkinson’s symptoms. She always loved her work.
She spent her final year at the Forest Hill Heights Assisted Living facility where she received excellent care. She enjoyed the activities room and was often the winner of trivia contests.
A memorial service and interment of ashes will be held at the Chatham United Methodist Church on Sunday, April 23, 2 PM at the Chatham United Methodist Church in New Jersey. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to https://pacing4parkinsons.org/ supporting John Hopkin’s Movement Disorders Center. Online condolences may be made to the family at http://www.evansfuneralchapel.com
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