New London's third female mayor dies at 93
New London — Carmelina Kanzler, the city's third female mayor, died Saturday at Greentree Manor in Waterford after 93 years of an extremely active life.
"She never really stopped moving," her son Mark Kanzler said by phone Tuesday, detailing the time she drove herself miles to the nearest hospital to get a pacemaker put in.
He used words such as "dogged," "well-informed" and "inclusive" to describe his mother, adding that "you weren't going to make her back down from something she wanted to do."
In her time, Kanzler — who earned two master's degrees, one in science from Eastern Connecticut State University and the other in public administration from the University of New Haven — served two terms as New London's mayor, with her first beginning Dec. 3, 1985.
She also served as a city councilor and deputy mayor.
"Perhaps we should call 1985-1986 the year of the women," A.A. "Ted" Washton, then-chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, quipped at the time. "In New London, the women really do the bulk of the work."
Kanzler also was a member of several organizations — including Southeast Connecticut Speech and Hearing, the State Commission of the Arts, League of Women Voters and the New London Rotary Club — and helped set up the nonprofit that works to restore, preserve and promote New London's Ledge Lighthouse.
Mark said Kanzler "loved New London."
"When moving out of Salem ... (my parents) picked New London on purpose," Mark said. "They could've went to Mystic, East Lyme, Niantic, but she wanted to be in New London."
Catherine Foley, who's been a member of the New London Rotary Club for 23 years, called Kanzler a "fascinating woman who had a real sense of compassion."
"She was a really charismatic, passionate woman who dedicated her life to community and public service both at the state ... and the local level," Foley said.
Foley said Kanzler was "very engaged" with Rotary in the local area as well as the districtwide span from Greenwich to Westerly, R.I., heading up projects such as leading study groups abroad.
"She loved her husband (the late Julius Kanzler), always talked about him. Loved her city, loved her boys," Foley said. "And she was very committed to making the world a better place."
"She's a real inspiration to those of us who come after her."
Twitter: @LindsayABoyle
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