Cecile S. Spero

Spero, Cecile Schiffer
Ithaca: Cecile (Ceil) Spero, 88, of Kendal at Ithaca, NY passed away Thursday, July 14 after a difficult struggle with cancer. She was born October 10, 1927 in Atlanta, Georgia and grew up in New York City, the daughter of Allyn M. Schiffer and Belle (Solomon) Schiffer. She graduated high school (1944) from the Lincoln School of Teachers College, Columbia University, in New York where she met James S. Spero. On June 25, 1948 they were married and lived together happily until his passing in 2011. Ceil received a BA in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin in 1948 and a Master of Library Science from SUNY Albany in 1967 after many years of part-time study while raising her family. She was certified as a School Library Media Specialist. Ceil was an Elementary School Librarian in the Ithaca City School District, working in several elementary schools. In 1979 she became School Library Coordinator for the entire school district and supervised 13 school library programs, librarians, and the District Library Processing Center until she retired in 1986. Always involved in volunteer work in Tompkins County, Ceil worked with the League of Women Voters, Delta Kappa Gamma, Family and Children's Service, and the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation. She was a member of the Unitarian Church of Ithaca. She and Jim became residents of Kendal at Ithaca in 1996. Ceil joined the Kendal Library Committee before Kendal opened, using her expertise to help set up the library, and she chaired the committee for many years. She also participated actively in the Dance and History Committees. Jim and Ceil received two significant awards: In 2009, Family and Children's Service named the Spero Family Fund for Child Psychiatry to honor them for their loyal and dedicated support in advancing mental health initiatives, especially in children's mental health and psychiatry. In 2010 Jim and Ceil were chosen as Philanthropists of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, NY Finger Lakes Chapter. They were also longtime supporters of the Hangar Theatre, Tompkins County Public Library, Cayuga Medical Center, and Family and Children's Service and other human services in Tompkins County. They made significant gifts that transformed services and lives. Ceil will be remembered for her warm generosity, love of reading, dancing, and theatre, and joy in spending time with her family and friends. In addition to her husband, Jim, she is predeceased by her daughter Jean Spero and her sister Herma Shore. She is survived by her children Bette Spero (Daryl Rasuli) of Buffalo, NY, Donald Spero (Julie Cooper) of Croton-on-Hudson, NY, and Nancy Spero (Rob Sullivan) of Ithaca, NY, her grandchildren Susannah Spero and Samuel Spero, her sister-in-law Miriam Spero, and many loving nieces, nephews, and special friends. There will be no calling hours. Friends are invited to attend a celebration of her life at Kendal at Ithaca on Monday, August 1, at 3:30 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to "The Spero Family Fund for Child Psychiatry" at Family and Children's Service, 127 West State Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 or the Tompkins County Public Library. Contact Bangs Funeral Home, 607-272-1922, for more information.