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Elgin activist remembered as 'larger than life'

Sigi Psimenos, whose love for art, the environment and civic involvement inspired many others throughout Elgin, was remembered for her creativity and larger-than-life personality.

Psimenos, 65, died of advanced heart disease Thursday night with family and close friends by her side at Loyola University Medical Center, friend Maria D'Angelo said.

"'Larger than life' is pretty much a good summary of who she was," D'Angelo said. "She always imparted to me, 'I lived this amazing life.' I learned from her, 'Don't be afraid to make mistakes and do what makes you happy.'"

Psimenos was born in Germany, spent most of her life in Chicago and moved to Elgin about 15 years ago. From then on, it seemed like there was no community initiative she didn't have a hand in.

She was a president of the League of Women Voters of the Elgin Area, co-founder of Next Wave Art Salon, Art and Soul on the Fox, and Stop Global Warming, now known as Elgin Climate Change Organization. She was active with groups including Elgin Green Expo, Community Gardening Network, Elgin Community Network and One Billion Rising. She was part of a working group for Elgin's sustainable city master plan and did work on the 2010 U.S. Census.

Psimenos had an amazing talent for planning and organizing while thinking outside the box, friend Danielle Henson said.

"The environment was important to her. Art was important to her. And how the community could thrive and connect, and embrace our artists and our connections in our community," Henson said. "You were just drawn into her orbit of creativity."

Psimenos, who also painted, had impeccable interior design skills and decorated her home with hand-painted ceilings and floors, said D'Angelo, who co-hosted with Psimenos the radio show "Two Old Broads."

Her work on summer reading and public art projects, among others, helped connect the community in myriad ways to the Gail Borden Public Library, said library spokeswoman and friend Denise Raleigh. "As a friend and a force of nature, we will miss her immensely," she said.

Psimenos understood that life is fragile, D'Angelo said.

She survived breast cancer at 29 and suffered from heart disease for many years, always crediting alternative therapies with allowing her to live a full life. Her husband, Nick, died early last year, and her son, Anthony Pedote, who suffered major health issues late last year, is in a rehabilitation home.

Psimenos took care of her husband, who had been in a wheelchair since the mid-1990s, and still found the time and energy to do all she did, her son said.

"The amount of friends she had, it said volumes," Pedote said. "I don't think anyone is ever going to fill my mom's shoes, but I think all of her friends will carry on her legacy, as well as I."

Among Psimenos' favorite quotes on her Facebook page is one by psychiatrist and author Elisabeth Kübler-Ross: "People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."

After being hospitalized last week, Psimenos had the chance to speak several times with her son to say goodbye. She died at 11:11 p.m., a fitting number for Psimenos, who loved gambling, D'Angelo said.

Psimenos will be cremated at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home in Elgin. A memorial service is yet to be determined, Pedote said.

To contribute to expenses, you can mail a check to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, c/o Sigi Psimenos, 305 Park St., Elgin, IL 60120.

"She was very specific about having a large group of people and to dance and drink and have fun," D'Angelo said. " ... And not to be sad."

Sigi Psimenos, who died Thursday, was described as a "larger than life" member of the Elgin community. Courtesy of maria D'Angelo
Elgin activist Sigi Psimenos was involved in the fabric of the community. Here, she appears in full makeup for the city's Nightmare on Chicago Street. Courtesy of maria D'Angelo
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