Jarmela A Speta

Jarmela Speta, beloved daughter, sister, cousin, godmother, aunt, teacher, musician, mentor, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2026. With her passing, her family and the entire Sweet Adeline chorus and Barbershop community lost one of their true pioneers. Jarmela was born on April 26, 1931 to James Albert and Ella (Elsie) Speta, in Brookfield, Illinois; with an immediate passion for music. Jarm had one brother, James Frank Speta, a beloved sister-in-law, Jacqueline Speta, many cousins and a large extended family throughout Illinois and Wisconsin. Jarmela earned her Music Education degree from DePaul University, launching a career dedicated to the arts. She became an accomplished pianist, gifted educator, chorus director, vocal coach, arranger, and mentor whose impact extended far beyond the stage.

Throughout Jarmela’s life she earned many awards, crowns and titles. She made history as one of the most accomplished performers in Sweet Adelines International. In 1955, singing tenor with the Nota-Belles quartet, she earned her first International Quartet Championship. After later switching to the lead voice part, she continued her remarkable competitive career, including singing with the Chi-Larks quartet, which earned consecutive second-place international finishes. In 1970, she captured her second International Quartet Championship as lead of The Rarities, becoming the first Sweet Adeline to win multiple international quartet crowns.

Her leadership extended well beyond her own quartet performances. As the director of Racine Chorus, Jarmela guided the chorus to a historic victory in 1973, when they became the first-ever International Chorus Champions in Sweet Adelines history. Through her vision, musicianship, and dedication, she helped shape the future of barbershop harmony and established a legacy that would inspire generations of singers, directors and arrangers. In recognition of her lifetime of service and contributions to the art form, Jarmela received the Sweet Adelines International President's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.

To those who knew her personally, Jarmela was much more than a champion musician. She was independent, elegant, witty, and uniquely herself. Her family and friends knew her as "Aunt Jarm," a woman who always carried herself withgrace and confidence. Her family and friends knew her fondly as "Aunt Jarm," a woman who approached everything in life with flair, drama, witt, elegance, and undeniable presence. At music gatherings, she was a magnetic force; it was nearly impossible to walk through a convention hall without a crowd gathering around her. Many fondly remember visits to her home, where music lessons were shared as often as great conversation and a cup of hot coffee.

Jarmela was predeceased by many cherished family members and lifelong friends. She is survived by her loving nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, countless former students, and an extended worldwide family of singers whose lives were enriched by her friendship, guidance, and generosity.

Her legacy lives on in every harmony she helped create, every singer she encouraged, and every life she touched. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Jarmela's memory are encouraged to share music, support vocal education, or simply enjoy a sweet treat and a cup of coffee while remembering the remarkable woman whose life was dedicated to bringing harmony into the world.

"Thank you for the music, the friendship, the lessons, and the love. Your song lives on."

A visitation will be held on Friday October 2, 2026 from 10:30am until the chapel service to begin at 11:30am at Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home. Inurnment to follow.