Elizabeth A. Huntoon

Elizabeth “Liz” Huntoon

June 21, 1946 - November 30, 2025

Elizabeth Huntoon was born in Davenport, Iowa, on June 21, 1946, to Harry and Margit Huntoon. She grew up in Moline, Illinois and graduated from Moline High School in 1964. She continued her education at the University of Illinois, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Education and a Master’s of Science Degree in Library Science. She began her career as a librarian with the Chicago Public Library, which lasted until her retirement in 2000. Her expansive career, the majority of it as Director of Children’s Services, is illustrated through some of the words from the current Commissioner of the Chicago Public Library, Chris Brown:

“Liz quickly became a national leader in children’s librarianship. Under her leadership, Chicago Public Library built several of the programs that continue to define the service in Chicago today. Her early literacy work earned recognition at the White House, and she served in an advisory role for the then-new PBS television program Reading Rainbow, which speaks to how widely her expertise was sought. Across the 1980s and 1990s, Liz was one of the library’s most visible voices on children’s reading. Many of the librarians she mentored still carry her influence in how they support young readers and families.”

Her commitment to children’s literacy did not end when she retired from the Chicago Public Library. She continued to advocate through her teaching career at Dominican University where she influenced many future librarians.

Throughout her life, she enjoyed quilting, traveling, and reading. Her quilting and sewing skills were put to use in many ways including being part of the team of volunteers who made The Chicago Quilt, which is on display at the Chicago History Museum. She also sewed hundreds of pillowcases for children at local hospitals and made quilts for children with cancer. Her travels took her to many places including U.S.National Parks, France, Sweden, South America, and England. Of all the places she went, Door County was her favorite and spent most of her time in retirement there.

We would like to thank her friends, Dennis and Jean, and the care team at Fairway Knoll Presbyterian Homes for providing a wonderful home for her during her final years.

Elizabeth is survived by her sister-in-law, Anne Huntoon; nephews, James (Molly) Huntoon and Mark (Sabrina) Huntoon; her four great nieces and nephews; and her dear friends Tony and Rose Powers. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, H. Karl Huntoon.

There will be a private burial ceremony held with family to honor her life. She was a supporter of many causes during her life. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Greater Chicago Food Depository or the The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor, WI.