Donna
I was born in Lake Forest. My mother was a cook and my dad was a gardener and a chauffeur on the Armour estate. I went to kindergarten there, and then we moved to Waukegan because my dad got a job at Abbott [Laboratories]. We lived there for probably less than a year, and then we moved here to North Chicago. That was 76 years ago.
My dad found a house down here at 801 Broadway, right where the stop sign is. He had the job at Abbott, and they financed that house for him. It needed a lot of refurbishing, and he did it all himself. And then when he bought his first car, they financed that too.
We knew everybody in every house on the street. I drive around town now and I think “That was so-and-so's house. That was his house. That was her house.” I'm still in touch with a lot of my friends that lived in those homes. I’ve told them “They’re renovating the house you grew up in!” and then I send them a picture. They are so thrilled, some have made trips back to see.
My dad was a gardener. Our whole backyard was a garden. He fed everybody in the neighborhood. I think I got some of that in my blood, because I just love planting my favorite vegetables and planting flowers. And I enjoy walking around just to view and enjoy everybody else's flowers, too. I love working in my yard because that's when I see my neighbors. Sometimes they'll stop and visit. Other times, they'll go by in the car and beep. Sometimes they'll pull over and talk for a little bit. I just love people.
I got new neighbors next door here about a month ago. They'll see me, they wave and they'll smile, and just that makes a connection. I just feel like I'm surrounded by people I care about and I feel that they care about me, which makes me grateful and humble and comfortable.
When I met my husband, he lived on the west side of Lewis Avenue. They didn't have any water or sewer at that time. After we were married, he used to brag to his siblings that he now had a bath instead of a path. When we got married, I moved from 801 Broadway to 903 Broadway, to an upstairs apartment. We lived there for a couple years and then we bought this house. My husband Gene became North Chicago fireman, and eventually the city’s Fire Chief. He, the fire department, and the police department have been a big part of my life here. In fact, two of the firefighters are godfathers to my children.
Not only have I been in North Chicago 70-some years, I’ve lived on Broadway Avenue the whole time.
Other than your family, what are you most proud of?
One is the way my three children grew up, and became wonderful adults and parents. The other thing is, after 32 years my husband and I divorced. I married at the age of 18. I had been married most of my life, and I had to learn to do everything, all by myself. My lifestyle, some friends, my security, everything was different. Holidays, all the happy times, even the sad things like when you're seriously sick, it's very difficult to be alone. But I was able to stand on my own two feet and learn how to do the things I didn't know how to do. I've done some tuckpointing on this house, and I tried to fix everything I can fix.
What’s your advice to someone who might be going through the same level of change, especially someone who’s more “life experienced?”
At the time of the divorce I was just devastated. Blindsided. I didn't want to see anyone. I didn't want to talk to anyone. That's why I started volunteering. It was a reason to be with people. Eventually, through that I made friends– and your mind is occupied on other things; making other people happy. Now I'm on the board of directors for the Navy League. I joined that because I have a granddaughter that joined the Navy. I like doing different, unusual things because it keeps me occupied, keeps me happy.
You’re known and revered in the community for your volunteer work.
It just started out where when they had events going, I volunteered to help. I thought, “I’ve got the time.” I retired from my job. Having worked in the juvenile court system, I was also familiar with a lot of police department things. Right now, I coordinate the volunteers for the Shop With a Cop program. And for National Night Out.
You get to know the community by doing these things. Just getting out of the house. Getting to know the people that are involved, that enlarges my circle. I’ve made so many friends that way.
I go to all of our city council meetings. I know what's going on in my town, and how my tax dollars are being spent. It's also a social event. I just think the more people know, the more they're aware of everything that's going on here in town, the more apt they are to participate in it. And with the participation, there's so many advantages to that.
From Arizona, my daughter made a couple of phone calls when I turned 80 years old. The police chief’s secretary, and I think it was one of (Illinois State Representative) Rita Mayfield's aides, and Mayor Rockingham; somehow or another they organized a birthday parade with the fire trucks and the police cars. I can't tell you how many people and how many cars were there! They stopped and they made several presentations, acknowledging my volunteerism and things like that.
During COVID, people were bringing me food all the time because they knew that I was highly vulnerable with my lung problems. I just felt like this was my town and they cared about me. When I had cancer, I was told I had a 10% chance to survive. Those aren't very good odds. But there was almost a physical feeling around me; I felt like there was a bubble of protection. It makes me feel that people care about me and that they respect me. People are always telling me they love me. Those are important things for people that live alone.
And the constant hugs. Just a touch is important to a body. A friend of mine that used to work for the city– she hugged me one day, and then she didn't turn loose. And she said, “You know, I read somewhere that a proper hug is like, 20 seconds. Because it gives my heart a chance to talk to your heart.” And I thought “that's beautiful.”
What do you see for North Chicago’s future?
I think it will eventually become as good or better than it was during its best time.
I lived in North Chicago at a time when there was a lot of industry. It was a thriving town. As I grew up, times changed. When I went to school, there really weren't many African Americans in the school system. Those that were, lived west of Lewis Avenue. I had a couple of friends that I'm still friends with today, and they still live in North Chicago. Since then, North Chicago actually took a nosedive. Industry left. The school system, which was really a good school system, went downhill. The crime rate rose. People didn't care about each other as much. It may be that they were defensive, or afraid of being hurt. I don't know the reason. But they kept to themselves more. And then we started getting a lot more people move into town, and they kind of kept to their own little communities. The town just lost its whole sense of unity, in my opinion.
Somehow or other, and I don't know exactly when it started, but that has turned around. All nationalities live in all neighborhoods. The school system is coming back again. People are taking more of an interest in the community. Now there are more homeowners, they make an effort to get out and meet the neighbors. I just think these are all steps forward to community.
I find that the negative impression of North Chicago was perpetrated by people that lived in North Chicago at one time when it was having difficulties, and they haven't been back to see the change. Absolutely anything positive about North Chicago, I forward it so that my friends and people I went to school with, family, everybody that knew all the bad things, they can see the good things.
Anything else we should know about you? About North Chicago? About life?
Life is meant to be enjoyed. I think the best way to do that is with family and community.
Based on what you’ve said, it would seem that your community is your family.
North Chicago is my town.
Following proudly in her father’s gardening footsteps, Donna with the fruits of her labor. Photos provided by Donna.
This conversation has been edited and condensed.