Elizabeth Spann
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Obituary for Elizabeth O. Spann (Olsen)

Elizabeth O. “Betty” Spann, 88, of Stamford passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at The Villa at Stamford (formerly known as Smith House). She was born in Mount Vernon, NY on December 20, 1928 to the late Charles and Frieda Schmidt Olsen.
She is survived by her devoted husband Lawrence “Bud” Spann of Stamford, her loving children Charles Spann and his wife Debra Lohr of Sherwood, WI, Lori E. Spann of Pinehurst, TX, Rosie Johnsen and Leslie S. Young, both of Stamford, as well as her many granddogs and grandkitties.
Besides her parents, Betty was predeceased by her sons in law Arnold Johnsen and Kenny Young.
She was raised in the Bronx, NY and graduated Walton High School, Class of 1946. She was employed by the Department of the Army as a civilian in Germany. During her time there, she traveled throughout Europe and was able to meet family in Germany and Norway. In 1955, Betty and her parents moved from the Bronx to Riverside, CT into the home her father helped build.
In 1957, Betty met Bud through a young adult group at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwich. They attended a New Year’s Eve party, Betty with a date and Bud alone. He didn’t take her to the party, but he took her home that night. Their first official date was ten days later when they attended a movie that was filmed at a park in Rome she had visited during her travels. They were married later that year on September 20, 1958.
Betty pursued her degree in Early Childhood Education at Norwalk Community College while raising her family. Taking one class a semester, she graduated with honors in 1978, the same year her son graduated from high school. While studying, she worked as a teacher at Saint Saviour’s Nursery School in Old Greenwich.
Betty and Bud moved to Thompson, CT in 1988 after Bud retired from the Town of Greenwich Fire Department. They built their dream home and made many friends through the Quinebaug Volunteer Fire Department, Thompson Memorial VFW Post 10088, and Woodstock Evangelical Covenant Church. She continued her work with children, caring for two darling boys who lovingly called her “Oma”. They lived in Thompson until 2012 when they returned to the area, residing in Stamford with their daughters.
The family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to the incredible staff of Smith House, West 2 for their loving and devoted care of our wife and mother for the past two years.
A Memorial Service will be celebrated on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 11:30AM at Evangelical Community Church, 1155 Newfield Avenue, Stamford. There will be no calling hours and Interment will be held privately. The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to assist the Spann family with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Elizabeth’s memory to The Villa at Stamford, 88 Rock Rimmon Road, Stamford, CT 06903.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com

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