Itasca business woman honored for her civic contributions

In some ways, strength and determination flow in Patty Szerlong's blood.

The Itasca woman said she comes from a long line of amazing women, including an ancestor who survived the Chicago Fire by floating with her daughter in the Chicago River. And when the family got back on their feet, Szerlong said, several women opened thriving businesses in the suburbs, like a boardinghouse for rail workers in Elmhurst.

"I thought it was normal for the women to be strong in the family," Szerlong said.

That same drive is what earned Szerlong the second annual Georgene Geils Award from the Bloomingdale Area Women in Business this winter. The award honors women who have an impact on all facets of life in Bloomingdale.

Last year's first award went to Mary Ellen Johnson, executive secretary to Mayor Bob Iden of Bloomingdale.

Winning unanimously over a handful of other nominees this year, Szerlong said she was surprised and humbled to learn of the honor.

"Everybody deserves a pat on the back, but this is huge," she said. "'Thank you' just seems such an insignificant way to express how I feel about this."

Her list of accomplishments reads impressively: She's served on the Lake Park school board since 1996; she owns Artful Touch salon and spa in Bloomingdale; she's held several political posts throughout the years.

But the people around her say Szerlong's resume hardly does her justice. To understand, you really have to look at times like when she helped St. Peter's Catholic Church in Itasca bring a family from Vietnam to Itasca. She arranged all phases of the project, including securing a home and financing for medical expenses. But when the mother died in childbirth, Szerlong adopted her daughter.

"She just lives her community service," said John Butts, superintendent of Lake Park High School District 108, who nominated Szerlong for the award.

"She serves at the same time she runs her business. A lot of people work during the day and put on a different hat at night, but for her it seems to all blend together."

Sometimes, though, even the strongest women need to rest. Szerlong is battling pancreatic cancer and now has a full-time caregiver. So during a banquet last month where she accepted her award, she tearfully announced that she must sell her Bloomingdale salon.

"I don't have the energy," she said. "A spa like that, it needs its mama. It's 12 hours a day and there's always something, something, something to do."

Throughout her chemotherapy and radiation treatments so far, Szerlong had kept up with her business and civic activities. But she admitted it was difficult just to get ready for the chamber awards dinner due to side effects from her treatments.

Her commitment to community is what keeps her going but, begrudgingly, Szerlong said she knows her schedule needs to lighten.

"I have no regrets," Szerlong said. "I've had a great life and would do it three times over again if I could."