Ella Mae Spence's Obituary
Ella Mae Chatnick was born May 30, 1919, to immigrant parents from Austria in State College, Pennsylvania. Her mother spoke no English, and her father only a little English. They lived on a farm and were very poor. She had 4 sisters and a brother, all who have preceded her in death.Ella Mae never finished high school, having to work on the farm, and during summers, babysitting children in New York City. While living in State College, she met her husband, William Vaughn Spence, Sr., who was attending Penn State University. They married after he graduated. They had one son, William Vaughn Spence, Jr. Because of their son’s asthma, they moved to Dallas when he was young. Bill, Jr. had two children, Melissa and William Spence, III.Ella Mae attending nursing school, but while giving one of her nephew’s a shot, he cried out in pain, so she decided she couldn’t finish because she didn’t have the heart to hurt people.Ella Mae and Bill were entrepreneurs, owning a restaurant in Casa Linda Plaza called DeGeorge’s, and a waterproofing business. Bill died an early death in his 50’s, and left Ella Mae to support herself. She never remarried, and lived alone until her son and his wife, Robin, moved in with her the last 5 years of her life because she was unsteady on her feet.Ella Mae volunteered at Doctor’s Hospital in East Dallas for many years before retiring, made many friends there and truly loved volunteering and interacting with people.She died after a very healthy life at the age of 98. She was strong, independent, mentally sharp, and loved by all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.
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