Obituary of Colette Joan Spaulding
Colette Joan Spaulding, a 58-year resident of Pound Ridge NY, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 30th 2020 at the age of 92 at her home following a brief illness with her husband and son at her side.
Colette was born on January 31, 1928 in New York, NY to the late Aaron S. and Dorothy C. Saphier (nee Kuhn). Along with her parents and younger sister Marlene, she later moved to Hartsdale, NY. The Saphier sisters were inseparable and because they were always together were affectionately called the “Bobbsey Twins”. Dorothy was a great cook and baker. Growing up Colette’s favorite dessert was her mom’s chocolate devils’ food layer cake with marshmallow icing.
Colette was a child of the Great Depression of the 1930’s and came of age right after WWII. After graduating from Bronxville High School, Bronxville, NY, she attended the University of South Florida and Emerson College, earning an Associate’s degree.
Colette’s future husband, Donald C. Spaulding, also grew up in Hartsdale and the two were later married at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Scarsdale, NY. She was a home-maker, wife and loving, dedicated mother to sons Jeff and Scotty. Whether it was her sons or grandchildren, Colette made it a point to never miss attending a school event or athletic contest in support of her family and traveled the country with her husband, the accomplished Western artist and protégé of Norman Rockwell.
Colette had a huge heart, bright smile and loved to laugh, was kind, generous and compassionate to all who she encountered-someone who thoroughly enjoyed getting to know others and hearing their stories. Colette was also a fighter-having beaten and survived both breast and lung cancer during her lifetime.
Colette was an avid antique collector and dealer who specialized in Americana, Country Store collectables and mechanical banks and up until her death was one of the 14 featured dealers of the Bittersweet Shop of Gaylordsville, CT. She loved to ski, play golf and tennis, continuing to play doubles into her late 70’s. She was a long-time member of the Pound Ridge Historical Society, Society of Mechanical Bank Collectors and The Compassionate Friends.
Colette is the beloved wife of Donald C. Spaulding and loving mother of Jeffrey D. Spaulding (Kristian) of Mamaroneck, NY and Scott D. Spaulding, who pre-deceased her in 1978, admiring mother-in-law of Jeff’s wife Kristian, devoted grandmother of Tyler Spaulding, Catherine Spaulding, Elizabeth Spaulding and Allison Spaulding of Greenwich, CT, who all affectionately called her Nana. Colette is the dear sister of Marlene Bencze (Antal) of Fairfield, CT, faithful aunt to nephew Antony Bencze (Lisa) of Mason, OH and nieces Ilona Zimmer (Mark) of Redding, CT and Christina Bencze of Fairfield, CT and caring cousin to Eugene Kuhn (Pat) of Pompton Plains, NJ.
Due to the Covid 19 health crisis no visiting hours or wake was held. Internment was at Pound Ridge Cemetery, Pound Ridge NY on Wednesday, June 3rd at 1pm where Colette was laid to rest next to her beloved son Scott in the family plot.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123/www.cancer.org or The Compassionate Friends, www.compassionatefriends.org.
