Glen Ellyn says farewell to a trustee, volunteer
Sara Lee's funeral service Thursday afternoon went just as she had planned.
Everyone sang hymns of her choice, special prayers were said, and the service concluded by fulfilling her request that everyone sing the national anthem.
"She served her family, friends and community," said Kathy Schmidt, a close friend of Lee. "It seems only fitting that we'd think of Sara as well."
Lee, a longtime Glen Ellyn resident, volunteer and current village trustee, died Monday after a brief battle with cancer. She was diagnosed in March.
Upon her request, Lee's body will be donated for medical research.
About 200 friends, family members, village employees and community leaders attended the funeral service.
So many people came to pay their respects, that after visitation the service was moved next door to Wheaton Evangelical Free Church to accommodate the large crowd.
Friend Renee Ferguson said Lee was multi-faceted, dedicated and passionate. She always did so much for others, and never asked for anything in return.
"She loved to cook, and we all became ingredients to Sara's soup of life," Ferguson said. "She has left each one of us with a rich flavor."
Lee's resume of civic and volunteer activities was extensive.
She served on the education advisory board of the DuPage Regional Superintendent's office, Citizens Advisory Council for Glenbard South High School, Glen Ellyn League of Women Voters and the Glen Ellyn Civic Betterment Party Nominating Committee.
Lee, 50, was elected to the village board in May 2005. She was most passionate about the quality of services, balancing the budget, the downtown strategic plan and listening to residents.
She was named one of the Daily Herald's 100 Most Influential People of 2000 in DuPage County. She also was an avid gardener, loved cooking and worked for the Butterball Turkey Talk Line for many years.
Schmidt said Lee was always proud of her children.
She was there when someone was ill, when someone needed to laugh and when a job needed to be done, Schmidt said.
"When Sara believed in something," Schmidt said, "she was unstoppable."