Phyllis Nye Spoon

Phyllis Spoon died on March 16, 2023 in Stockton CA. She was born April 29, 1932, to Leslie and Eunice Nye in Dallas, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Patricia Nye, and her husband Bruce of 61 years. She attended schools in Dallas and Houston, TX until 1947 when the family moved to San Jose, CA. She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in San Jose in 1949, and graduated from San Jose State College in 1953. After graduation she worked at Stanford Research Institute (SRI). In 1954 Phyllis married Bruce Spoon, who had just finished Naval OCS. During four years in the navy, they lived in Kamakura, Japan, and Honolulu, Hawaii. After the service, Bruce attended and graduated from Yale Law School and they returned to San Jose, CA, where Bruce worked for FMC Corporation as Senior International Counsel. In 1972, they moved with the company to Chicago, IL. During the 20 years there, Phyllis worked as a middle school librarian and then as an elementary school secretary in Arlington Heights, IL. Phyllis and Bruce enjoyed international travel, especially to Japan where they had many friends from their time living there. After retirement in 1992, Phyllis and Bruce moved to Stockton, CA to be near their children and grandchildren. Phyllis supported and was a member of P.E.O. Chapter RC, The Stockton Sister City Association, Emily’s List, Truman Club of Stockton, The Haggin Museum, St. Mary’s Interfaith Community Center, and Stockton Symphony Association. She is survived by her three children, Leslie Balestracci (Paul) of Stockton, CA, Jennifer Spoon of San Ramon, CA, and Bruce Spoon (Amber) of Loxahatchee, FL, her five grandchildren, Jennifer Balestracci of Stockton, CA, Peter Balestracci (Lindsey) of Madison, WI, Peter Lipinski (Brittany) of West Palm Beach, FL, Andrew Lipinski (Nicole) of Wheaton, IL, and Paul Lipinski of West Palm Beach, FL, and her three great-grandchildren Noella Balestracci, Leo Balestracci and Sophia Lipinski. Phyllis has requested that any memorial donations be made to the Haggin Museum (www.hagginmuseum.org) or a charity of choice. The family would like to specifically express their heartfelt appreciation for her special caregivers who provided their extraordinary love and support over the last years, as well as the exceptional care of the Hospice of San Joaquin. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptune-society.com/location/stockton-ca for the Spoon family.