Susan Mary (Madill) Spanel, our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother was lost to us on July 24, 2024.
Susan was born August 27, 1950, in Chanute, Kansas to Ernie and Mary Madill, both of whom preceded her in death. She grew up in Nevada, Missouri and graduated from Nevada High School in 1968.
She later attended Southwest Missouri State, where a chance meeting introduced her to the love of her life, George. She married George Spanel Jr. on January 15, 1971, in Chula Vista, California.
Susan was a brilliant writer and journalist— her humor and witty repartee made even strangers smile and laugh. She cherished her family and friends deeply, always greeting them with lots of love.
She is survived by her husband George, daughter Amber (James), and grandchildren Sariana, James, Drystan, and Draco Barbarotta.
Widely loved and celebrated, Susan will be missed dearly by the many whose lives she touched and brightened.
Services: Funeral at Kutis South County Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, on Wednesday, July 31, 1:00 pm. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cem. Memorials to Tunnels to Towers or charity of your choice appreciated. Visitation Tuesday 4:00 to 7:00 pm.
This is so hard to see. My second mom growing up has gone to a bigger and better place. I’ll always cherish the memories from the younger years. My prayers and love for George, Amber, Jim and all the kids during this time.
I’m so grateful to have had Susan as my aunt. Always loving, great hugs, and love with every visit. Trips with she and Amber to the Zoo, the arch, Grants Park, and being all together as family are my most cherished memories. Im so thankful for that. My heart is with you Amber and Uncle George, and all of our family. I love you. I love Susan. Always. — Julie
Suz was my best friend the moment we met in college. We agreed on most everything especially music. Back then, the Beatles were fun to listen to as we “studied” our hearts out! Then along came Smokey. We both thought he was all that and more. We kept in touch after graduation and went through the rest of our lives as long distance friends. We called each other or saw each other now and then. We laughed and talked until our tummies hurt. My heart hurts now, but my memories of Suz are strong and will always be in my heart. May the Lord Bless and Keep George, Amber, and all that she loved.
Today is a sad day for me in losing my longtime, and very best friend. We met at Bryan grade school when she and her family settled in Nevada, MO. We were forever friends and always together. We were able to see the Beatles in concert both times in 1964 and 1966. I loved her with all my heart. Today is my wedding anniversary of 54 years. Susan (she let me call her Sue) was my maid of honor. Although separated by miles, she was always on my mind and especially in my prayers when she fell ill. She was a wonderful friend, wife, mother, mother in-law, and grandmother. My heart goes out to all who loved her as I do. Prayers for her wonderful family. Gone, but never forgotten! Rest in peace now, dear, Sue.
We will miss Susan, but know she fought so hard in her cancer journey and that battle is finally over.
When we were kids, I would spend a week with Susan and her family in the summers. It was a highlight for me. I can’t say I enjoyed the water there in Nevada during those visits, but loved our family times together.
In the last few years some of us Madill cousins have tried to stand with Susan in her cancer battle and to encourage her with our prayers. My last text conversation with Susan included her advice and encouragement to my husband’s sister who was just starting her own cancer journey with her first chemo treatments. Susan’s advise to someone she didn’t even know was, “Good luck to her and tell her to stick with it!♥️🤞”. Susan stuck with it to the end….
George, Amber & Family,
As George’s cousin, I’m so sorry to hear of Susan’s passing. It’s easy to lose track in the midst of life, and I didn’t know about Susan’s battle with cancer until recently. My parents used to save articles she’d written to show me when I visited, and were quite tickled they knew somebody who was writing for a publication.
Words can feel meaningless at times like this, but try to take comfort in the love and experiences you shared.