Nellie K. Spitz

SPITZ, KENIEN, ASWAD

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 7/3/2012 at 16:08:15

Nellie K. Spitz of Iowa City, Iowa passed peacefully from this world to the next on June 25, 2012 at 89 years of age with all her children and grand children by her side. Nellie was born on June 3, 1923 to Michael Kenien and Asma Aswad Kenien in Binghamton New York where she grew up with her 5 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 4 beloved children which they raised together in Monmouth, Illinois.

Nellie graduated as a registered nurse from the United States Cadet Nursing Program at Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City, New York in 1944 and from The University of Rochester Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education Program in 1947. She also received a Masters 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 Illinois from 1971-1986 when she retired. Nellie is survived by her 4 children (Douglas Jr., Michael, Christopher, and Maria), 4 grandchildren (Anthony, Anna, Julia, and Mari), and 2 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.