Photo courtesy of Brooklawn Funeral Home - Rocky Hill
Mar 21, 1938 - Nov 26, 2025 (Age 87)
We extend our deepest sympathies at this time and thank you for entrusting us with the care of your loved one.
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Luke E. DiMaria and the Staff of Brooklawn Funeral Home/Giuliano-Sagarino
November 29, 2025 | Rocky Hill, CT
Eleanor Schnitzke Spada
It is with great sadness that we share with you of the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt, Eleanor Josephine Schnitzke Spada. Born on March 21, 1938 in Hartford, Ellie was the second youngest of seven children. Affectionately called Lil or Lily as a child due to her fair hair and complexion, Ellie grew up in Kensington and graduated from New Britain High School. After high school, she worked at Pratt & Whitney as a secretary and then at Raphael’s in New Britain where she met the love of her life, Salvatore Angelo Spada II. Their first date was Christmas Eve mass, 1956. Early on, Sal got a taste of Ellie’s homemade cheesecake and claims to this day that’s why he married her. Married on July 16, 1960, they celebrated 65 years this past summer, and our family has enjoyed many, many delicious cheesecakes.
She kept busy raising twins David and Steven and daughters Sharon and Holly. She raised her children with a firm hand and a huge heart. There was no getting anything by this mother who cared for her children with much love. Eleanor worked as an Executive Secretary at AFSCME Council 4 from 1984 until retiring in 2015.
Eleanor was predeceased by son David, brother Joseph Allen and sisters Helen Ziel, Regina Philippon, Pauline Carlson and Ann Schnitzke. She is survived by sister Victoria (Edward) McManus of Florida. She is also survived by children Steven, Sharon (Michael) Spinelli and Holly (Steve) Ennis, grandchildren Jessica (Jesse), Alex, Michelle (Caleb), Nicholas (Rachael) and Elijah (Liana), and great grandchildren Gabriella, Mason, Avery and Benjamin.
We wish to express our gratitude to Dr. Wylie Hosmer and his staff and the nurses at Hartford Healthcare’s Infusion Center and Hartford Healthcare at Home, for their compassionate care.
Family and friends are invited to the Giuliano-Sagarino Funeral Home at BROOKLAWN 511 Brook St. Rocky Hill, on Monday, December 1, 2025 from 10- 11a.m. with a Funeral Service at 11a.m.
Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research foundation).
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