UCI Libraries Newsletter, Fall 2009

Carole Creek Bailey

UCI alumna Carole Creek Bailey, a dedicated and generous supporter of the UCI Libraries, has died at the age of 75. Carole was active with the Libraries for over 10 years, and made a significant gift in 2004 to establish the Carole Creek Bailey Library Endowed Fund in support of the acquisition of materials in social sciences.

Carole was born in Independence, Kansas, in 1933 and was a voracious reader, even as a child. She began her habit of reading the newspaper daily when she was only six years old. At the age of 19, she eloped to New Jersey with Bill Bailey, who was serving in the Air Force. The couple lived in Wales, England, Kansas, Arizona, and Nevada, before settling in Del Mar, CA, with their three daughters, Cathryn, Lynn, and Gail.

Carole always felt a deep affinity for California and knew she had found her home. After she and Bill divorced, she lived in San Diego County until 1974, when she moved to Irvine to attend UCI. Carole earned her bachelor’s degree in social sciences in 1974 and embarked on her career in school finance. She often described how she lived at the library during her undergraduate program, having completed two years worth of credits in 12 months. She completed a master’s degree in 1979 from UCSD and returned to Orange County and her career in budgeting for public school districts. She retired as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services from the Capistrano Unified School District in 1991.

Carole had an avid enthusiasm for genealogy, and researched her family origins all across the U.S. and even back to Europe. She believed in adventure and traveled extensively in the United States, through Europe, and Asia Pacific. Wherever she went, she made new friends and openly demonstrated her sincere respect for and excitement about cultures other than her own. Carole believed in reading. Sometimes she read at the rate of an entire book a day and belonged to many book clubs. Carole believed in generosity and contributed to a wide array of charitable causes including UC Irvine. She was generous toward friends and family as well, and was always willing to give her time when someone she knew needed her.


		Carole Creek Bailey UCI alumna Carole Creek Bailey, a dedicated and generous supporter of the UCI Libraries, has died at the age of 75. Carole was active with the Libraries for over 10 years, and made a significant gift in 2004 to establish the Carole Creek Bailey Library Endowed Fund in support of the acquisition of materials in social sciences. Carole was born in Independence, Kansas, in 1933 and was a voracious reader, even as a child. She began her habit of reading the newspaper daily when she was only six years old. At the age of 19, she eloped to New Jersey with Bill Bailey, who was serving in the Air Force. The couple lived in Wales, England, Kansas, Arizona, and Nevada, before settling in Del Mar, CA, with their three daughters, Cathryn, Lynn, and Gail. Carole always felt a deep affinity for California and knew she had found her home. After she and Bill divorced, she lived in San Diego County until 1974, when she moved to Irvine to attend UCI. Carole earned her bachelor’s degree in social sciences in 1974 and embarked on her career in school finance. She often described how she lived at the library during her undergraduate program, having completed two years worth of credits in 12 months. She completed a master’s degree in 1979 from UCSD and returned to Orange County and her career in budgeting for public school districts. She retired as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services from the Capistrano Unified School District in 1991. Carole had an avid enthusiasm for genealogy, and researched her family origins all across the U.S. and even back to Europe. She believed in adventure and traveled extensively in the United States, through Europe, and Asia Pacific. Wherever she went, she made new friends and openly demonstrated her sincere respect for and excitement about cultures other than her own. Carole believed in reading. Sometimes she read at the rate of an entire book a day and belonged to many book clubs. Carole believed in generosity and contributed to a wide array of charitable causes including UC Irvine. She was generous toward friends and family as well, and was always willing to give her time when someone she knew needed her.