Elizabeth “Jane” Hardesty Spalding, 89, of Lebanon, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2026, surrounded by the love of her cherished family. Born on April 10, 1937, in Lebanon, Kentucky, Jane lived a life filled with love, laughter, hard work, and unwavering devotion to her family. She was first and foremost the proud mother of four boys—Clarence, Steven, Kenny, and Joe—and nothing brought her greater joy than watching her family grow through the generations.

Jane married the love of her life, Aaron Spalding, and together they built a beautiful life from humble beginnings. They danced together in their younger years at the Jane Todd, and later enjoyed traveling across the country on bus trips with dear friends. Long before it was common for many women to work outside the home, Jane built a career she was proud of. She enjoyed her years at the Marion County Public Library, but especially loved her time working for the Marion County Sheriff's Office. A lover of a good story and a little gossip, the Sheriff's office was the perfect fit for her. Jane loved all things beautiful. She took tremendous pride in the home she and Aaron built together, filling it with warmth, character, and countless personal touches. Armed with big ideas and blessed with Aaron who never seemed to say “no,” the two of them painted, wallpapered, repaired, and improved nearly every space, always proud to say they had done it with their own hands to save a little money. Jane sewed beautiful curtains with carefully chosen fabrics and trim that hung throughout her home and filled every corner with treasured knickknacks collected over a lifetime. To walk into her house was to know immediately that it was loved. Just as full as her home was her kitchen table. The phone was always ringing, and there was never a shortage of family, friends, neighbors, or visitors stopping by. She loved nothing more than sharing stories around the table and catching up over a Diet Coke. No one ever stayed a stranger. Ham Days was one of her favorite traditions because it meant friends and family from near and far would gather together in her front yard, laughing and reminiscing the way she loved best.

To know Jane was to love her. She possessed an unmatched wit, a quick sense of humor, and an uncanny ability to say exactly what everyone else was thinking. She could turn an ordinary afternoon into an unforgettable memory, and there was rarely a gathering that wasn't made better simply because she was there. Perhaps her greatest gift was the way she made the people she loved feel seen.

Even in difficult moments, Jane preferred laughter over tears. If someone cried, she was often the first to gently remind them, "Now don't cry." She wanted joy to have the final word, and that is exactly what she leaves behind. She is survived by her sons, Clarence (Ann), Steven (Martha), Kenny, and Joe (Judy) Spalding; her precious grandchildren, Kendall Yates (Chad), Emily Sandwith (Denney), Jane Claire Hupman (Brent), Austin Spalding (Maggie), Katlyn Jo Spalding, Aaron Spalding, Michael Spalding, and Alex Spalding (Noel); her beloved great-grandchildren (Thomas, Violet, Iris, Milly, Ann Stiles, Elizabeth, Bennett, Shepherd, Reece, Anderson, Emmett, and Hiro; her special niece, Rebecca Brodarick (Mike); and countless extended family members and dear friends who loved her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Aaron Spalding; her sister, Rosalee Mayo; and her brother, Greg Hardesty.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 24, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Bosley Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at St. Augustine Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m., with interment to follow at St. Augustine Cemetery. Although her family will miss her beyond words, they take comfort in knowing that her love, her laughter, and the countless sayings she repeated throughout the years will continue to echo through generations. Jane's greatest legacy is not simply the beautiful life she lived, but the confidence she instilled, the joy she created, and the unwavering love she gave so freely. She made the people around her believe they were extraordinary, and because of her, they always will.