Carla P Sprague

Honoring a life devoted to caring for others and guided by grace, we announce the passing of Carla Rose Therese Porretta Sprague, a loving mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, teacher, therapist, and friend.

Carla was born and raised in Detroit. At age 14, she entered the Sisters of St. Francis of Bay Settlement in Wisconsin, where she became a nun, completed high school and two years of college, and remained until she was 25. After leaving the convent, she completed her degree in elementary education at St. Norbert College and returned to teach in Detroit, where she met her husband, Otho “Rusty” Sprague, and welcomed their first son, Jonathan Reid Sprague.

Soon thereafter, Rusty’s work brought the family to Arlington, Texas, where their second son, Anthony Arnold Sprague, was born. While raising Jon and Anthony, Carla earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington. In 1988, the family settled in University Park, Texas.

As a Licensed Master Social Worker, Carla devoted her career to serving vulnerable populations, particularly mothers and children. She spent several years as a therapist at the Dallas Child and Family Guidance Center and later led play therapy at Vogel Alcove, supporting young children experiencing homelessness and poverty. She later established a private practice and was widely respected throughout Dallas as a play therapy specialist. In 2002, she received the Pamela Blumenthal Memorial PRISM Award in recognition of her lasting contributions to mental health access, quality, and advocacy in the region.

Throughout Carla’s life, people were drawn to her empathy, wisdom, quiet strength and playful wit. She was a gentle listener, a patient conversationalist, a trustworthy friend, an expert Scrabble and bridge player, a gracious host, and a woman of deep strength, courage, and unwavering belief in the dignity of others.

She is survived by her son Dr. Jonathan (Jon) Reid Sprague; daughter-in-law Holly Woodrow Sprague; two grandchildren, Reid Christopher Sprague and Harper Marie Sprague; her sister Maria Gabridge (Bob); cousin Celeste Crouch (Charlie); and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Mary Ellen Keaveny Porretta and Dr. Anthony Porretta; her brothers, Dr. Anthony Porretta and Thomas Porretta; and her son, Anthony Arnold Sprague.

A service will be held in Boulder, Colorado and available via Zoom on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 11:00 AM MT. Memorial tributes may be made to the Davis Phinney Foundation.

Carla remains a guiding light to all who knew and loved her.