Spitz, Nellie Kenien

Nellie Kenien Spitz

(1923 - 2012)

Nellie K. Spitz of Iowa City, Iowa, passed peacefully from this world to the next Monday, June 25, 2012, at 89 years of age, with all her children and grandchildren by her side.

Nellie was born on June 3, 1923, to Michael Kenien and Asma Aswad Kenien in Binghamton, N.Y., where she grew up with her five brothers and sisters (Faris, George, Marie, Esma and Phillip). She graduated with honors from Binghamton North High School in 1941. Nellie married Douglas Spitz in 1954, and they had been married 56 years at the time of his death in 2010. Nellie and Doug had four beloved children which they raised together in Monmouth, Ill.

Nellie graduated as a registered nurse from the United States Cadet Nursing Program at Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City, N.Y., in 1944 and from The University of Rochester Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education Program in 1947. She also received a Master's degree in nursing from Northern Illinois University in 1977. She practiced and taught nursing at several hospitals from 1947 to 1960 and taught nursing at Carl Sandburg Junior College in Galesburg, Ill., from 1971 to 1986 when she retired.

Nellie is survived by her four children (Douglas Jr., Michael, Christopher and Maria); four grandchildren (Anthony, Anna, Julia and Mari); and two great-grandchildren (Madison and Kalilia).

Nellie loved her family deeply and believed strongly in the strength of family, education, faith and dedicating her life to helping all members of the community. Nellie was a compassionate and caring mother and educator who will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Funeral arrangements will be handled by Lensing Funeral Services in Iowa City ().

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Trinity Episcopal Church Memorial Fund in her name at 320 E. College St., Iowa City, IA 52240.

Published in The Gazette June 27, 2012.