Obituary of Nathalie "Nancy" Spano

Nathalie “Nancy” (Bruce) Spano, 86, of New Britain, passed away Thursday (Sept. 7, 2017)   at the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain, surrounded by her loving family.  She was the beloved wife of Peter Spano,  a 90 year old World War II Veteran; and a loving mother and grandmother. A long time New Britain resident, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Anna (Dowham) Bruce.  At an early age, she enjoyed taking dancing lessons and was a cheerleader for New Britain High School, class of 1948.  She enjoyed the ocean air at their summer home in Niantic Bay . She was an active member of St. Maurice Church, a volunteer for over 25 years with the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain, working in the Gift Shop (where a doctor called her “Miss Volunteer”); a member of the Junior Women’s Club since 1974, where she served at secretary and president ; and was involved with many fund raising projects with the Women’s Club.   Nancy was a world traveler with her husband, skiing in Europe where she enjoyed the cold air, traveling and shopping in Asia and Ireland, where she searched for relatives, whom she found and enjoyed spending time with them. She was an avid reader and loved music, especially Frank Sinatra and Andrea Bocelli’s “Time to Say Goodbye”.  One of her greatest pleasures was spending several years tutoring Peter, with the professors, for his psychology classes while he attended Tunxis College.  

In addition to her husband Peter, she is survived by her daughter Lynn (Spano) Rist of Niantic, a son Peter Spano Jr. of Maine, three grandchildren, David Rist, Michael Rist and Matthew Spano,  a sister Maryjane Wierbicki of New Britain, a brother Edward Bruce of Plainville and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Monday (Sept. 11, 2017)  9:00 AM from the Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin Sq. New Britain, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Maurice Church 100 Wightman Road New Britain. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Visitation will be Sunday  from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the funeral home.                

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the George Bray Cancer Center c/o Hospital of Central CT 100 Grand St. New Britain, CT 06050.