July 7, 1960 – Aug. 22, 2021

Donna-Jean Spaziano-Shields, 61, of Tacoma, Washington passed away on Sunday, Aug. 22 following a brave battle with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease. Donna was born in Providence, Rhode Island to Robert and Eleanor Spaziano on July 7, 1960.  They moved to La Crescenta when Donna was 3 years old. She attended Monte Vista Elementary School and Rosemont Middle School and graduated from Crescenta Valley High School in 1978. She was on the swim team and played in the band. Upon graduation she went to dental college and became a dental assistant.

She moved to Seattle where she worked as a dental assistant and office manager. She was a vibrant and determined personality, a devoted single mother raising her son alone. She was kind and generous. For over 10 years she sponsored Japanese exchange students and housed them while they learned English. She bought several homes, the Cadillac she always wanted and vacationed each year, never missing a one. She lived life on her own terms.

Donna was predeceased by her father Robert Anthony, who also suffered from ALS, as well as Robert’s sister Annette Spaziano-Johnson. She is survived by her mother Eleanor and two sisters, Denise (Camner) and Lori (Estrada); her son Jared; two nieces and three nephews.

A celebration of her life will be on Sept. 18 at noon at St. James the Less Church in La Crescenta.