Glen Ellyn to plant tree to honor former trustee

The spirit of Sara Lee will continue to watch over the baseball fields that the former Glen Ellyn trustee loved so much.

A tree will be planted in Lee's honor this weekend between two fields at Village Green Park. The longtime village resident died last year after a battle with cancer.

Lee herself picked that location off Lambert Road because it was one of her favorite spots in town.

"She'd spent so many hours there watching her children play baseball," Trustee Michelle Thorsell said.

Thorsell said she wanted to do something for Lee while the trustee was still sick and planned to have the tree planted as Lee was stepping down from the board.

However, the cancer progressed quickly, and the tree-lover died before the tribute was put in place.

Lee's family will be there this weekend as the village plants an autumn blaze pear tree at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Thorsell said the dedication is also unintentionally planned on the opening day of baseball, which will serve as an appropriate way to remember Lee.

Thorsell said the tree was picked for its fitting attributes: it's tall, strong and produces beautiful flowers.

"It had to be something that was very strong and monumental," Thorsell said. "Something that reflected Sara."

The event this weekend will be part of the village's Arbor Day celebration, which Lee had taken part in as a trustee.

Peggy Drescher, the village forester, said she was in a classroom two years ago when Lee was talking about the importance of trees to children. Lee's love of trees shone through in that presentation.

"I wish I had the speech she gave," Drescher said. "It was incredible."