Carol Ann Bloxdorf Maglietta, 88, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2023. Born in Kenosha, WI, to Walter R. and Florian C. (Weigand) Bloxdorf, Carol was the beloved wife of Ed, loving mother to Mary (John) and David, and dear grandmother to Nathan (Sky), Emily, Colin, Grace, and Eric. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and graduated with a degree in interior design and also pursued her great interest in political science. After graduation she worked for Meredith Corporation in Des Moines, IA, first at Better Homes and Gardens magazine, where she became an editor, and then as the editor of the first Better Homes and Gardens Baby Book. It was while in Des Moines that she met her beloved Ed, and they married in 1962, moving to Freeport shortly thereafter.
Carol’s loving heart, thirst for justice and generous spirit led her to fully engage with her new community, always seeking to make it a better place for all. She was the founding secretary of the Freeport Area Church Cooperative, and she was a member of the Amity Society of Freeport, where she loved volunteering for its childcare program in the early days. She was also the founder of the YWCA book sale and was its co-chair for many years. Carol was an active member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, where she served for many years as a CCD teacher and then high school youth group leader. Carol was also a dedicated volunteer for PADS, where she spent many a winter evening assisting at its overnight shelter. Her lifelong love of reading and commitment to literacy for all led to her accepting an appointment to the Board of Trustees of the Freeport Public Library, where she served for 15 years and was instrumental in the planning, siting and construction of the current building on Douglas Street. Carol’s great commitment to her community resulted in the Freeport Noon Rotary Club naming her a Paul Harris Fellow, an award presented to a member of a community who has made an outstanding contribution to that community.
Carol’s other interests and activities were many. She loved her affiliation with Chapter BE of the PEO Sisterhood, and her sisters will always hold a special place in her heart. She loved to travel and enjoyed many trips throughout the U.S., Europe and Great Britain. She thoroughly enjoyed her winters in Bonita Springs, FL, where she made many friends and loved shelling and sunset viewing at the beach. Carol was an avid needleworker, and this interest led her to cofound The Needleworks, a needlework shop that operated in Freeport for many years. She was also an accomplished seamstress, and in her later years channeled this interest into making Easter sundresses for migrant children in the Bonita Springs area. Carol hosted many students and young adults through various Rotary International exchange programs, many of whom became lifelong friends. Carol enjoyed birdwatching, gardening both flowers and vegetables, watching old movies, visiting with her Parkview friends in “the gazebo” and, most of all, spending time with her beloved family and friends.
The world is truly a better place because Carol was in it, and her beautiful spirit will be greatly missed by the many who knew and loved her.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:30AM on Saturday January 6, 2024 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, with Fr. Peter Snieg officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00AM until the time of funeral mass at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Freeport, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations in memory of Mrs. Maglietta may be made to:
Freeport Public Library Foundation
100 E. Douglas St.
Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: 815-233-3000
information@freeportpubliclibrary.org
https://www.burketubbs.com/obituaries/Carol-Ann-Maglietta?obId=30194002