Elgin resident named club's Woman of the Year
The Altrusa International Club of Elgin Inc. announces Florence Ostdick of Elgin as the recipient of its Woman of the Year-2010 award. Ostdick will be honored at the 61st annual Woman of the Year Recognition Dinner on Thursday, May 20 at Villa Olivia Country Club in Bartlett. The event includes cocktails and reception at 6 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by the program. Former Women of the Year recipients and Altrusa emeritus members also will be recognized. Friends and associates are invited to attend the dinner to honor Ostdick. For information and reservations, call Nancy Gerner at (847) 289-0797.
The local Altrusa Woman of the Year Award began in 1950 when Harriet Armstrong was recognized as the first recipient. Since then, a long line of dedicated local women have been honored for their volunteer service to the greater Elgin area community.
"Flo is a model of service," said Dr. Clare Ollayos, Altrusa Woman of the Year committee chairwoman. "She joins a very distinctive group that has made a difference in the Elgin area community. Flo has led many organizations, instituted new programs, and has been effective in assisting other volunteers. She has also done much for neighbors, friends, and those in need." Ostdick is a woman of strong faith and exemplifies the Altrusa keys of "Amity, Loyalty, Talent, Reciprocity, Unity, Service, and Achievement." Community service has been very important in her life.
When she was in high school, Ostdick moved from Chicago to Elgin where she attended St. Edward Catholic High School. After receiving her bachelor's degree in education at Alverno College in Milwaukee, she taught first- and second-graders in Elgin Area School District U-46. She married Bruce, her high school sweetheart, and they had three daughters and one son. All are teachers, including their sons-in-law. They have 10 grandchildren. Following a long hiatus, Ostdick returned to teaching at the YWCA and after a year returned to U-46. In 1988, she completed a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from National Louis University. During her tenure as an educator, she was Language Arts Task Force Representative for 14 years. She spearheaded Young Authors at the Bartlett schools. She produced musicals and other productions through the gifted department. She retired in 2000.
Ostdick devoted years of volunteer service to St. Laurence Parish in Elgin as a religious education instructor, Altar and Rosary/Liturgy chairwoman, Parish Liturgy chairwoman, parish council member, education commission member, twice chairwoman of the parish's annual holiday bazaar, Eucharistic minister, and lector.
She worked with the R.C.I.A. program for 4 years and she and her husband hosted a Marriage Encounter community in their home for three years.
She currently serves on the Liturgy Committee at St. Thomas More Church in Elgin, which includes the Environment Committee decorating the church. Ostdick was heavily involved in the 2006 renovation project at the church. Her ongoing ministry is lecturing at Sunday masses and funerals. She and her husband have held the Why Catholic? program in their home the past four years. Her creative volunteerism has given expression to the inspiring annual "Advent by Candlelight" at St. Thomas More Church, an evening of spiritual, musical and communal reflection, that will hold its fifth year in 2010.
She has been a charter (27-year) member of Fox Valley Beaux Arts, and has held every major office including a two-time tenure as president. She has served as scholarship chairwoman, increasing the amount of scholarship funds available and endeavoring to expand the number of available scholarships. Her creativity is apparent at the club's annual fashion show fundraiser and she is an energetic acquisitions team member.
Altrusa International Club of Elgin Inc. is an international service organization comprised of executive and professional women. The club sponsors a number of projects in the community through volunteerism and monetary support. Members reside throughout the Northern Fox Valley area, including Elgin, South Elgin, East and West Dundee, Sleepy Hollow, Carpentersville, Algonquin, Bartlett, Hampshire, and St. Charles.