The original item was published from October 19, 2020 2:05 PM to October 20, 2020 12:00 PM
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I nominate my mother, Kathryn (Kate) Peot, as an amazing example of leadership and empowering others throughout her lifetime.
Kate lived in Naperville from 1964 - 1986. She returned in 2018 and is currently residing at Monarch Landing. She and her husband Robert raised their large family of eight children in Naperville. Kate was often a temporary single parent, as Bob traveled internationally for his job. However, it was not simply the amazing accomplishment of parenting this brood often alone, which makes her an inspiration. Kate was a dedicated volunteer with many different organizations. Much of this volunteering did relate to her children, serving as a Girl Scout and a Cub Scout leader and the head scorekeeper for many years for her children's summer swim team. She served on the school board and parish council at St. Raphael Church where her children were enrolled in school and volunteered in the school library. In addition, for several years she chaperoned the Naperville YMCA swimmers, when they traveled to their annual National Meet in Ft. Lauderdale.
However, Kate also served the community of Naperville, in ways unrelated to her children's activities. Kate taught swim lessons at the YMCA to special needs students, encouraging them to compete in Special Olympics. She was on the Board of Directors at the Naperville YMCA. She also spent many years managing the thrift shop at the Angel Harvey Family Health Center of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago. Kate should be recognized for HERstory as a wonderful mother, as well as an amazing community volunteer."
Nominated by Susanne Gensler