Corrie Spalla

CORRIE SPALLA Cornelia Johanna “Corrie” Spalla, devoted spouse, mother and Oma (Dutch for “Grandmother”) passed away on November 23, 2013 after a two-year battle with a cancer known as multiple myeloma. Born in Den Haag, Holland during the dark days of World War II, her family moved to Canada in the early 1950s to escape war-torn Holland for a better life. As her father continued to attain better employment, the family moved many times during her childhood throughout Ontario, Canada. In the early 1970s her parents retired and moved from Detroit, Michigan to West Palm Beach, Florida and Corrie soon followed. There she met the love of her life and her later to be husband of 38 years, attorney Jim Spalla, who traveled frequently to South Florida from Tallahassee on behalf of the State Department of Transportation. She soon moved to Tallahassee where she and Jim were married. Being an avid physical fitness advocate she established a physical fitness program for toddlers and young children called "Supermovers" and was affectionately known as "Miss Corrie" to a generation of her local students now in their late 30's. Corrie had a sense of style that was unique, tasteful and sometimes unconventional. Her style began with her appreciation for nature, natural foods and personal care products. Her sense of style was also reflected in the clothes she wore, her passion for home decorating, landscaping, and attracting birds and butterflies to her home garden. Her smile and free spirit made an impression on all that she met. Corrie was very proud of attaining U.S. Citizenship in 1986 and took her civic duty seriously in supporting and voting for candidates of her choice. Corrie is predeceased by her parents Nico and Trudy (Pel) de Haan. In addition to her husband, Jim, keeping Corrie’s energy alive are her son Derek Scott Spalla, daughter-in-law Angel Spraggins Spalla, granddaughters Joy and Zoe Spalla, brother Nico de Haan and spouse Ellen, brother-in-law Sal Spalla, special aunts and uncles Cory deGouw, Henk and Tini Pel, Tony Spalla, best friends Carole Towcimak and Margie Granger and many cousins, nieces and nephews of the de Haan, Pel and Spalla families. At Corrie's request, the service of remembrance to be held will be with her family scattering her ashes in the Gulf on a chilly windy day at St. George Island, a place and winter climate which closely resembles the dunes and beaches on the North Sea of her native Holland. The birds she attracted to her yard still chirp and sing sweetly for her every morning; we trust she still hears them. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to Big Bend Hospice 1723 Mahan Center Blvd, Tallahassee, Florida 32308-1638. Corrie also wished to acknowledge special thanks to the TMH Cancer Center for the peace and comfort provided to her during her treatment. Bevis Funeral Home (850) 385-2193, www.bevisfh.com is assisting the family with arrangements.

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Corrie Spalla

October 29, 1942 - November 23, 2013