Paying respects to Fox River Grove village president
Kay Laube, Fox River Grove's village president, touched many lives throughout her 61 years on earth.
That was evident at her funeral Saturday, at which more than 100 family members, friends and public officials paid their respects to Laube, who died Monday after a five-year battle with cancer.
Laube's funeral Mass was held at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, the place in which Laube practiced her faith for more than 20 years.
With an illuminated statue of a crucified Jesus Christ in the background, the Rev. Stephen St. Jules, the Cary church's pastor, let the people know that Fox River Grove lost a generous public servant, a devoted wife, mother of two and friend.
The village president of three years got her start in politics 23 years ago as a member of the town's zoning board of appeals from 1985 to 2005. She also served on the Fox River Grove School District 3 board from 1997 to 2005.
She was elected village president in 2005.
"Her attitude was 'I'm not going to be a complainer, I'm going to be an actor,'" St. Jules said. "'I'm going to be involved.'"
On the professional side, Laube worked as a freelance designer, organizing photo shoots for catalog companies.
But she still found time to make Fox River Grove a better place.
Laube was a founding member of the Fox River Grove Lioness Club, remained active in the local girl and boy scout groups, and supported families who had adopted children from Korea.
Not wanting to burden her constituents with her health concerns, Laube kept her "valiant and courageous" battle with cancer out of the public eye. Her death came as a shock to many, as Laube was the type of woman who "did not want any special attention or special treatment," St. Jules said.
"Our prayer today is that this day Kay may be at the dawning of eternal life," he said.
Laube is survived by her husband Ed, her children Mary and Ed, and a grandson.
On Thursday, the Fox River Grove village board selected Trustee Paulette Pelletier to serve as president pro tempore to run the meetings. Next month, trustees will pick a successor from among themselves to finish Laube's term, which expires in the spring.