BACOA inducts 2012 class into Hall of Fame
Fourteen Barrington-area residents were inducted into the 17th annual BACOA Hall of Fame May 16 at a recognition tea at Lake Barrington Woods.
The Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Barrington Area Council on Aging, honors outstanding older adults from the Barrington area for their service to the community.
Seniors are nominated by local service organizations, churches, health care providers, nonprofits, the arts and local governments.
The Hall of Fame has honored 232 individuals from 68 different organizations since its inception in 1996, including 14 couples — and for the first time this year, the daughter of a previous winner was inducted (Mary Williams, whose father, Herb Walbaum, entered the Hall in 1999).
The Barrington Area Council on Aging, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization. Its mission is to serve seniors, family caregivers and the community. Visit www.bacoa.org.
Here are excerpts from their profiles.
Jackie Allen, Barrington Park District: “Jackie is one of the most positive, friendly, caring seniors who participates and volunteers at the park district,” says Terry Jennings, Barrington Park District executive director. “She makes suggestions to help us better understand the importance of providing senior health opportunities and is very active in our fitness programs and the health club.”
Anna Markley Bush, village of Barrington: Anna Markley Bush “has been a terrific role model for citizenship,” says Barrington Village President Karen Darch. Bush has chaired the Barrington Plan Commission since 2000, been a member since 1993 and before that, from 1985-87. She also served a four-year term as a village trustee.She is on the board of the Barrington Area Development Council; was president of BACOA’s board of directors from 1996-1998; and is on the board of the Barrington Village Association and the board of governors of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association.
Jill DesJardins, Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois: When Jill DesJardins began volunteering with Hospice in 2006, she started visiting nursing home residents, where she discovered a talent for working with dementia patients. “Jill has been hit, grabbed, scratched and cursed at, and yet she loves all of her ‘special people’,” says Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Jan Ferrell. “But Jill says, ‘God says we need to come back as little children, and they have.’”
Don Griffith, Cuba Township: Don Griffith “has touched many lives throughout the community,” says Cuba Township Supervisor Dave Nelson, who nominated Griffith. Griffith has been a Cuba Township trustee for 10 years. He’s also a trustee at Salem United Methodist Church and a longtime member of the Lions Club. “His is an involvement without accolades,” says Nelson. “He’s a quiet, humble leader who makes a difference.”
LaVere Larue, Roy Wilmering Scout Cabin: LaVere LaRue has been a Girl Scout volunteer for more than 50 years. “Scouting was where she first became a role model and leader for the girls in our community — and then for the adult volunteers,” says Claire Leininger, secretary/treasurer of the Roy Wilmering Scout Cabin. She is also a member and former president of the Barrington Women’s Club and a member and former president of the Barrington Northwest Community Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Dean Maiben, Barrington Township: As president of the Barrington Historical Society, he designed the Creet Carriage Barn for Old Barrington Center, chaired the genealogical and archival committee and established the group’s electronic history program. Maiben “has a willingness to step forward and help,” says Gene Dawson, Barrington Township supervisor. “Whether it be in coaching, acting as an election judge, doing a project for the Historical Society or serving as a member of his church, Dean is always ready to lend a hand.”
Betsi Orr, Barrington/Northwest Community Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago: Orr has a longtime involvement with art — both creating it and sharing it. As a member of the Community Associates of the Art Institute, Orr has served as a board member, hospitality chair and chair for the group’s seminar series. In 2008, she organized a multimedia art and craft display at The Garlands of Barrington; the show featured 28 artists and artisans, working in 17 different media. All were members of the Community Associates. Along with her work with the group, she also knits shawls for St. Anne’s shawl knitting ministry.“Betsi has always been known for being generous with her time and talent, whenever it has been needed,” says Mari Harrer, of the Community Associates. “We are proud to recommend her for this community award.”
Jody Paine, Barrington Area Council on Aging: Jody Paine had a 26-year career with IBM, but after she retired, she put her expertise to work in the nonprofit field, including the Barrington Area Council on Aging. Paine had volunteered for several BACOA committees when the economy faltered in 2008. “She stepped forward in a hands-on way to help staff with fundraising efforts and strategy,” says BACOA Executive Director Joyce Palmquist. “When we reduced paid staff hours dedicated toward development, she provided assistance and counsel on how we could be more effective by outsourcing some functions and getting board and volunteers more involved in other areas of development.” Today, Paine is secretary of BACOA’s board.
Peggy Simonsen, Citizens for Conservation: Peggy Simonsen’s volunteer work for Citizens for Conservation spans a wide range. She’s the recently-elected president of the board and a member of the Community Education Committee. As grants chair, she prepares grants for a variety of CFC initiatives. She’s the assistant chair of CFC’s Native Plant, Shrub and Tree Sale and she’s a year-round volunteer for CFC’s restoration workdays. She’s written successful grant applications to Chicago Wilderness and the EPA for CFC’s Grigsby Prairie and Baker’s Lake restoration projects, and one to fund CFC’s Invasive Species educational campaign.Says Sam Oliver: “Peggy epitomizes vision plus action. She sees the big picture but, in addition, sees that the details are all in place.”
Virginia Train, Friends of the Barrington Area Library: It’s no small task to stage a Friends of the Library book sale. No one knows this better than Virginia Train, who was nominated this year by the Friends of the Library. Train, who has volunteered for the Friends for the last six years, is involved in all aspects of the sales — from sorting the books as they’re donated, to running the cash box the day of the sale to breaking down the sale setup the next day. Because the sorting process is ongoing, Train spends six hours, twice a week, at the library working with the donations. She’s also a member of the Friends board.
George Van Hagen, VFW-Barrington Memorial Post 7706: Van Hagen enlisted in the Navy after Pearl Harbor, and during his service as a pilot — just days before the end of the war — he was shot down in the Pacific, near mainland Japan. After 10 hours in the water, he was rescued by an American submarine. “It certainly made me feel I had a duty and an obligation,” Van Hagen said in a 1988 interview. He was one of the founders of Barrington Youth Services in 1972 and organized the Barrington Community Band in 1985. Much of his service has centered on VFW Post 7706, which he joined in 1963 and which nominated Van Hagen this year. His stories about World War II and national service have educated and inspired legions of local schoolchildren. He has spearheaded the post’s Voices of Democracy Scholarship Competition for the last 15 years. He is an exemplary patriot and the best in volunteerism.
Bonnie Vaughan, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Volunteer Services: Since 2009, Vaughan has logged more than 800 hours of service to the hospital, says Julie Zuidema, manager of volunteer services, who nominated Vaughan. Her projects are as varied as stuffing envelopes to surveying cardiac patients, and is a dedicated volunteer for Mended Hearts, whose volunteers work with patients and families experiencing a cardiac event. Says Zuidema, “She works with people who are really in need of information and encouragement to make their way through a physically and emotionally difficult experience. Her quiet competence, good humor and grace put patients and their families at ease.”
Mary W. Williams, District 220 Educational Foundation: Williams has worked tirelessly to support education in Barrington. As a Class of 1955 alumni, she was one of the founders of the BHS Alumni Association. She taught in District 220 before becoming a Realtor. Today, as a trustee of the District 220 Educational Foundation, she represents the Alumni Association and “continues to find ways to enhance educational opportunities for students, teachers and community members,” says Margarita Geleske, the chair of the foundation. “She always has the community in mind when considering Educational Foundation grant opportunities.”