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BORN
1927
DIED
2023
FUNERAL HOME
Emma Spalding Obituary
April 30, 1927 - October 26, 2023
Emma Rivas Spalding went to join her Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 26, 2023. She was born in Mexico City on April 30, 1927, to Frank I. Rivas and Carmen Arizmendi Rivas. Through her father, she was a descendant of the Canary Island Pioneers of early San Antonio. She graduated from Brackenridge High School, Class of '44, and afterward worked as a medical secretary at Santa Rosa Hospital. She joined the Jocists, a group for young Catholics, where she met the love of her life, Clem Hill Spalding. They married in October 1948 and moved to Kentucky, and in 1954, returned to San Antonio, where she was the full-time mother of her eight children, who loved her dearly.
Along with her husband, Emma was a founding member of Blessed Sacrament Parish, where she was treasurer of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and a member of the Altar Society. She was an Oblate Associate, and she and Clem were active in St. Rita's Family Guild. She was a docent at the Witte Museum and a Girl Scout troop leader. She and Clem enjoyed dancing together and traveling in the U.S., Europe, and Canada.
Emma is preceded in death by her beloved husband and her son Joseph; parents Frank and Carmen A. Rivas, sisters Alice Daly, Ann Marie Rivas, Carmen Bognar, and Beatrice Daville, and brothers Frank and Edward Rivas. She is survived by her children Kitty Spalding (Tom Spieczny), Ann Towns (René), Mary Spalding, Judy Spalding, Theresa Spalding (John Hoffman), Clem Spalding, Jr. (Kathy Kiolbassa), Bill Spalding (Katy), and Nell Hernandez (Ernest). Also left to cherish her memory are 18 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive guests from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m Sunday, November 5, 2024, at Porter Loring Mortuary.
ROSARY
SUNDAY,
NOVEMBER 5, 2023
7:00 P.M.
PORTER LORING MORTUARY
1101 MCCULLOUGH AVE
MASS
MONDAY,
NOVEMBER 6, 2023
10:00 A.M.
BLESSED
SACRAMENT
CATHOLIC CHURCH
600 OBLATE DR
Interment will follow at San Fernando Cemetery II. Donations in her memory may be made to brightfocus.org or to the Blessed Food Pantry at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 210-502-0496.
Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her:
"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Proverbs 31:28-29
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Memories and Condolences
for Emma Spalding
Sponsored by Porter Loring Mortuary McCullough.
3 Entries
Ed Schmidt
November 3, 2023
My dear cousins I was very saddened to hear of your mother's passing. The last time I saw her was when Theresa brought her to my sister Kathleen's funeral mass at St. John's. I had spoken to Emma earlier by phone when I had called her to tell her about Kathleen's passing. We spoke on the phone for a good while talking about our families and some Rivas history that I was not familiar with so I was thankful for that. I always remember her graciousness when meeting her at different functions of our families. I think it is a very special thing that you all have each other as a good family support. So again please accept Kathy and my condolences and that we will keep you in our prayers.
Sister Stephana Marbach
October 30, 2023
Greetings! I have so many wonderful memories of your dear mom, your dad, and family when I served as principal from 1971-1976 at Blessed Sacrament Parish School. May your faith, happy memories, and support of family and friends sustain you at this time. Though I will not be able to join you in person at the services, I will definitely be with you in spirit. With loving and prayerful sympathy, Sister Stephana Marbach
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Memorial Events
for Emma Spalding
Nov
5
Visitation
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Porter Loring Mortuary McCullough1101 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212
Nov
5
Funeral services provided by:
Porter Loring Mortuary McCullough1101 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212
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