Thanks Yoss so much for sharing the news. i've known her for years; she was very talented, a wonderful person, and really committed to glen ellyn. My prayers are with her and her family.
Sara Stassel Lee, 50, of Glen Ellyn passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, May 26th.
She leaves behind her devoted husband Peter “Chip” as well as her cherished children Jennifer, Peter and Jonathan. She was the loving daughter of Lucille and the late John Stassel of LaPorte, Indiana and the beloved sister of David (Donna) Stassel of LaCanada, California. Sara was especially close to her Aunt and Uncle, the late Elizabeth “Ibbie” and Joe Luber, her many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. Sara was a kind and true friend to very many people.
She was a 1975 graduate of LaPorte High School and a 1979 graduate of Purdue University where she was a member of the Alpha Phi Fraternity. A resident of Glen Ellyn for 26 years, Sara devoted her life to making the world a better place through service for many civic and educational organizations. She was very proud of the work she did on behalf of the Village of Glen Ellyn and was currently serving as an elected Village Trustee. Throughout the last decade she also held the position of Glen Ellyn Plan Commissioner and served on the Village Comprehensive Plan Committee.
Sara was on the nominating committee for the Civic Betterment Party; a trained moderator for the League of Women Voters; a member of the DuPage County Regional Office of Education Advisory Board; a member of the Glenbard High School District 87 Strategic Plan Committee where she was named Volunteer of the Year; a Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Council for Glenbard South High School; a volunteer voter registrar for DuPage County; a founding member of Keeping Educational Excellence a Priority; a member of the Community in a Park Committee; and on the Glen Ellyn Vision 2000 Youth Committee.
She was also very active in the DuPage Valley Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Phi Fraternity. Over the years she served as an Alpha Phi chapter advisor at Cornell University and Elmhurt College; as the President of Wheaton Junior Women's Club; a member of the St. Petronille School Parent Organization; and the President of the Raintree Homeowner's Association. She was named one of the DuPage County Daily Herald’s 100 Most Influential People of 2000.
Sara was an avid gardener and a fabulous cook who loved to share her talents and knowledge with others. She worked for the Butterball Turkey Talk Line for many years and found great joy helping people across the nation create beautiful holiday meals.
Sara continued to think of others through her final days, and chose to donate her body for medical research on neuroendocrine carcinoma.
A memorial visitation Thursday May 29th from 12noon until time of memorial service at 2:00 p.m. at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home, 430 E. Roosevelt Rd. (1 blk. E. of Naperville Rd.) Wheaton, IL.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the American Cancer Society, CNS Hospice of DuPage, or a local organization of the donor’s choice.
Posts: 1298 | Location: Glen Ellyn, IL USA | Registered: March 21, 2003
Though I did not know her, I am saddened by the news. My father died of cancer and I know how difficult it is and will be for her family. My thoughts are with her husband and children.
I don't believe I ever knew/met her but she sounds wonderful and remarkable. And the fact that she donated her body for medical research is incredible. People rarely do that anymore.....my prayers and thoughts go out to her family.
"The most valuable things in life are not measured in monetary terms. The really important things are not houses and lands, stocks and bonds, automobiles and real state, but friendships, trust, confidence, empathy, mercy, love and faith. " -Bertrand Russell V. Delong
Posts: 3215 | Location: Glen Ellyn, IL | Registered: April 04, 2003
How very sad. I heard her name in the weekly intentions at Mass this weekend. Didn't know she was ill. I too never met her but sounds like we've lost quite a person, and quite a young one. I lost my Dad at 46 while I was 13. I'm not sure how old her kids are but keep them in your prayers. It's not an easy time (understatement of the year, I know).
Many people attended the visitation and the service yesterday. The service was very good, and ended with Sara's special request, singing the National Anthem. The police guard was a very nice gesture. good bye and Godspeed to a great friend of our Village, and to many of us.
God bless her and her family. I hope it was an easy battle. It was incredibly short. My mom had pancreatic cancer and the whole time she kept saying -"this isn't so bad," ..that she felt fine... Wow... It affects people differently and the more I learn about cancer, different time frames. In the same paper, another person passed away in Wheaton after a 6 week battle, after diagnosis. Man that's short.
