Realtor Van Glabek wins St. Charles' highest honor

When the bulk of the homepage on your website is a chronological listing of activities and local involvement that goes back 50 years, you can lay claim to being a truly active member of your community.

Marce Van Glabek's website has that quality — and Friday night, she added the achievement of being the 2012 Charlemagne Award winner in St. Charles.

The award is a recognition of lifetime achievement bestowed by the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce on individuals who have truly left an imprint on their community.

Van Glabek's cornerstone is a 50-year history in real estate. But while her professional passion is selling homes, Van Glabek has heavily influenced several key community organizations.

She was the president of the Fox Valley Association of Realtors. She was the first female president of the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce. She served as a director for the Ecker Mental Health Center, Tri-City Family Services, the Fine Line Creative Arts Center and the Glenwood School.

She was heavily involved in Zonta International, a global organization of business executives working to advance the status of women. She helped write the plan to redevelop downtown St. Charles. And, last year, the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce recognized her with the LEAP Award for demonstrating Leadership, Excellence, Achievement & Professionalism.

Van Glabek is a 51-year resident of St. Charles and lived in Batavia for 10 years before that. She received the Charlemagne award as a surprise part of the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce's annual awards dinner.

“Our recipient is well-known in St. Charles and has served the community for decades through many organizations and continues to volunteer, helping others and beautifying the community,” read the explanation for Van Glabek's selection.

She is the 46th recipient of St. Charles' most prestigious award.