Shayla Alice Spolidoro

Shayla Spolidoro, age 37, beloved daughter and sister, passed from this world on Saturday, July 11, 2020. Shayla was born on December 15, 1982 in Santa Fe, NM, to Mark and Carolyn Spolidoro.

The first years of Shayla's life were in Glorieta, NM, where she lived in a passive solar adobe home built by her parents. It was there that she welcomed her younger brother to complete her family. At age six, the family moved to Santa Fe, NM where she attended Montessori Children’s House for preschool and for grades 1-5. This school was a good fit for Shayla because it promoted her love of learning. Her middle school and high school years were in Los Alamos, NM. While in Los Alamos, Shayla developed some deep and meaningful friendships that lasted her entire life.

To further her education, Shayla moved to live independently in Albuquerque, NM, where she graduated from University of New Mexico, and went on to attain a dual degree in accounting and law. After passing the bar exam, she worked at a Santa Fe law firm for a year. In July 2019, she started her job as an attorney for Disability Rights New Mexico. Shayla’s life experience shaped her ambition to advocate for people with disabilities, and this job was the perfect setting to fulfill this goal.

Shayla’s life was characterized by her passions and perseverance to attain her goals. This required overcoming the difficulties created by her lifelong medical disability. Shayla had a fierce drive to be independent. The challenges she faced to achieve such a lifestyle were daunting, but she always confronted and overcame them regardless of how impossible it appeared. Shayla’s life was not long, but it was certainly successful.

Shayla is survived by her mother, Carolyn Spolidoro; father, Mark Spolidoro; and brother, Kyle Spolidoro.

A Celebration of Life will be be held Saturday, July 18, 2020, 2:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Wyoming.

The Celebration of Life is available via webcam for those who would like to attend from a distance since New Mexico has phased back and is encouraging no out-of-state visitors without a 14-day quarantine. The link to the live-steam broadcast is available by clicking here: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/33105

In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to Disability Rights New Mexico, 3916 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111.