Obituary of Michael Charles Spellman

Michael Charles Spellman died of heart failure at his home in Aptos, California, on January 17, 2023. He was 79. Mike was born in San Francisco, California, to parents, Martin and Kathleen (Dolan) Spellman. He attended Lincoln High School and presided as class president his senior year. He graduated in 1961, earned a B.A. degree at Stanford University and completed Medical School and a residency in radiology at UCLA. Mike fell in love with Berdell as an undergrad at a study abroad in France. They married in August 1970. Mike and Berdell moved to Aptos in 1977 where they raised two kids, Kelly and Keith. Working as a radiologist at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, California, for over three decades, Dr. Spellman eased and saved many human lives. He also eased a few animal lives by providing chiropractic adjustments to pet cats and administering pain medication to Pig Newton, his daughter’s guinea pig, ailing from arthritic knees. His unique sense of humor, steady patience, and ever-present twinkling eyes were much beloved. Having a zestful spirit of adventure, Mike piloted small aircraft, captained a Bayliner and delighted in driving his Morgan along Highway One. He was quite a craftsman, building a deck for a garden shed which outlasted the shed itself and fashioning a resonant marimba out of birch. Mike could also whip up a Thanksgiving Turkey with culinary expertise. Dr. Spellman is survived by his wife, Berdell Spellman, daughter, Kelly Spellman, son, Dr. Keith Spellman, and daughter-in-law, Leigh Spellman. He will be sorely missed. His light, however, will continue to shine like an illuminating fluoroscopy we can enjoy and revel in its healing energy. Friends and family are welcome to attend the memorial mass at Holy Eucharist Catholic Community Church, 527 Corralitos Road, Watsonville, CA 95075. Services will begin at 11 AM on Friday, February 10. It was Mike’s wish to make donations to The Cancer Society and The Lymphoma and Leukemia Society.