Obituary of Carol Lynne Spaziani

Carol Lynne Andrews Spaziani died February 1, 2022, at Oaknoll Retirement Residence. A lifelong advocate for civil liberties and freedom of expression, Carol made a huge imprint on the community and will be missed by all who benefited from her strong character. Spaziani was 91 years young. She was the daughter of Elsie Ensign Andrews and William Lynn Andrews, both deceased. She lived in Iowa City for 67 years, coming from Southern California. She was born in Toledo, Ohio and spent early years in Toledo and Detroit. Carol completed the 7th grade through college in California in Ontario and Santa Monica. She held a job at UCLA’s brand-new medical school library for five years after graduation from UCLA, with a BS in pre-librarianship. In 1953 Carol married a fellow student from Ontario, Eugene Spaziani a Zoology graduate student at UCLA. Eugene received his PhD in 1958. The two left for a year in England where Eugene had a post-doctoral fellowship at London University. They traveled extensively, visiting long-lost relatives. Eugene accepted a position at the University of Iowa, and the two moved to Iowa City in 1959. Carol received a Master’s degree in library science from the University of Illinois. The couple had two children, Andrew age 60 and Daniel Alexander age 58. Both are graduates of Iowa City schools. Andrew graduated in business from The University of Northern Colorado at Greeley and has lived in Colorado since then. Daniel is a resident of Iowa City. In 1969, after the boys were in school, Carol took a job at the IC Public Library, then housed in the old Carnegie building. When the library moved in 1981 into a new building, Carol moved with it, helping to recruit 600 volunteers to help carry books. As part of her outreach job Carol established outreach locations at the jail and local nursing homes. She edited the library newsletter, worked with the Lending Framed Art print collection, coordinated adult programming and displays. She helped choose materials in art and social sciences and created the library’s first formal volunteer program. Carol was a leader in the campaign to unionize city employees in 1974. When AFSCME 183 was certified, Carol learned she could not join because she was a library manager. When Title 9, which prohibits discrimination in student athletics, was passed in 1972, Carol, the mother of two boys, led the fight to ensure equal participation for girls in the Iowa City school system. Carol retired in 1994 and in 1995 the library instituted the annual Carol Spaziani Intellectual Freedom Festival to honor her 27 years of service to the library and her steadfast commitment to the freedom of ideas. It often coincides with Banned Book Week, which celebrates the freedom to read. After retirement, she purchased 3 homes, traveled in Europe, Spain, and Turkey. She implemented her long interest in art by becoming a docent at the University Of Iowa Art Museum, studying art at the senior center and serving as president of Arts Iowa City. Disability services were another interest. She and Eugene founded NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). She was an active member of ACLU, the League of Women Voters, Art Factory, University of Iowa Art Docents, NAMI, the Democratic Party, the Regional Planning Commission, Urban Renewal Planning, the Fair Housing Ordinance and Compeer. Her family includes her sons Andrew Spaziani (Debra Ann Jenner) and Daniel Spaziani; granddaughters, Taylor Spaziani and Jennifer Muniz. Contributions are welcomed to Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), University of Iowa Art Museum and Oaknoll Foundation. A gathering of friends is scheduled for a future date. This will feature jazz and dancing, and all who knew Carol are invited. To share a thought, memory or condolence please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com.