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Politics & Government

Nearly a Half Century of Service, More than 9,000 Hours

Lake Forest resident Jeanne Remaley honored by Lake County Cares.

Editor’s note: Monday began the first of five mini-portraits of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff residents who are being recognized for their extraordinary volunteer efforts in Lake County. They will be honored at the Lake County Cares I CARE Award Ceremony on April 21 at the  in Lake Forest. This is the sixth year for the ICare Awards, formerly the Women of Service & Style awards. The honor coincides with National Volunteer Week, April 15-21.

  • Monday’s profile: 
  • Tuesday's profile: 
  • Wednesday's profile:
  • Thursday's profile:
  • Today: Jeanne Remaley

 

If only an occasional patient or visitor to , you might wonder why volunteer face looks so familiar.

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Perhaps you will recognize Remaley from her previous volunteer work as president of the Lake Forest Chapter of Arden Shores and the or because she was an involved den mother, or an active parent who held executive positions in the local Parent Teacher Association.

Most likely it is her longest volunteer commitment that lends familiarity. She has logged more than 9,500 hours of volunteer work spanning nearly half a century at the hospital.

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Remaley began her service at the hospital when it was only 23 years old. She was influenced to serve patients in a hospital setting by her grandfather, who was a country doctor in Indiana, and by her brother, an orthopedic surgeon.

When Remaley began volunteering in the 1960s and ’70s, she was first part of the coffee shop’s core staff, responsible for all aspects of keeping the shop running. Remaley expanded her service in the 1970s and ’80s by joining the hospital's Women’s Board, circulating the gift cart, mail delivery and serving in various leadership capacities. In the 1980s and ’90s she went on to volunteer at the surgery and admitting desks.

Peggy Ferenchak, who works with Remaley at the visitor’s receptionist desk every week, noted, “Jeanne is very friendly and efficient” with her work of directing and escorting patients and their families.

There is no discounting her value to the hospital's outreach, according to Dee Tiffany, manager of Volunteer Services at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital.

“Her volunteer stories are a rich tapestry of lifetime friendships formed,” Tiffany said. “When you consider the years of service Jeanne has given to so many, it is clear she walks away with the ultimate reward by reflecting, 'I’ve had a lovely life, haven’t I!'”

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