Doris J. Spinillo

Doris Jean Spinillo, 74, of Galesburg, passed away peacefully at 7:22 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at her home following a short battle with cancer.

She was born September 6, 1950 in Glendale, California, to Betty Ruth Coffman. Doris graduated from Broadview Academy outside Chicago, Illinois in 1968. She later received her Associates of Applied Science in Radiology Technology. Doris married Luigi Spinillo on February 23, 1975 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Galesburg. She worked as a production associate at OMC Gale Products for 10 years until she later began assisting Lui as an independent contractor for Aqua Illinois servicing Oak Run for 40 years. Doris was a very devoted homemaker and caretaker, dedicating herself to any situation or anyone in need.

Doris was a true force of nature — fiercely independent, endlessly curious, and deeply devoted to her family. From an early age, she moved through life on her own terms, unafraid to defy convention and carve a path that was entirely her own. She created a home that offered comfort, joy, and refuge, finding peace in the everyday rituals of cooking, tidying, and tending to the space she so loved. For Doris, the idea of “home” held deep meaning — it was a sacred place where love could grow and where she could lose herself in the quiet rhythm of domestic life. But beneath that calm, she possessed a powerful mind and an unrelenting hunger to learn, read, and think deeply. Her convictions ran strong and true; she could not be molded, and she lived each moment with a fierce authenticity.

It’s no surprise that Doris was drawn to the works of Jane Austen, whose characters often reflect the very spirit Doris embodied: intelligent, steadfast, and unwilling to live life any way but her own.

To borrow Austen’s words — and perhaps Doris’s own quiet motto — “I must keep to my own style and go on in my own way; and although I may never succeed again in that, I am convinced that I should totally fail in any other.”

She had a special ease with children — their innocence and curiosity mirrored the way she saw the world and the parts of herself she fought to protect through difficult years. Holidays in her home were magical, marked by traditions and joy she created for her two children, their friends, and anyone lucky enough to be near. Doris always chose the company of children over the noise and pretense of adulthood. When her granddaughter Francesca was born, Doris stepped into that role with awe and purpose, seeing once again the world through fresh, unfiltered eyes. Her connection with Francesca was grounded in love, protection, and a deep understanding of what it means to find meaning in small moments.

Doris had a strong Seventh-day Adventist faith. She had an unwavering passion for research, always eager to learn about a myriad of topics. This enthusiasm for knowledge was a testament to her inquisitive mind and her desire to share valuable information with those around her.

Doris once delighted in water skiing, boating, camping — anything that brought her into nature and motion. She was also the relentless and indispensable professional partner to her husband, Lui — his right hand in every sense. She was his “Do Do.” Whether building the perfect spreadsheet or mastering a new challenge, she approached each task with precision and confidence. Her capabilities were vast, and her presence in every corner of life — from the home to the workplace — was unmistakable. There is an immeasurable void in her family's hearts. Doris, “Mom,” will be deeply and profoundly missed. In some of her last words, she gave comfort in telling her husband, “We are not afraid, we must move on.”

Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 50 years, Luigi Spinillo of Galesburg; one daughter, Angela Spinillo (David Wargula) of Oak Park, Illinois; one son, Luigi J. Spinillo of Maui, Hawaii; her beloved granddaughter, Francesca Spinillo Wargula; and three cousins of Monmouth, Illinois, one of which she shared a special bond with, Marcia Judy—her kindred spirit.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Betty Hoskins in 2022; and her brother, Gregory Faulkner in 2001.

Cremation will be accorded. A celebration of life will be held at the end of summer on what would have been her 75th birthday. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory in Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Parkview Seventh-day Adventist Church of Galesburg, Illinois.