'There Will Never Be Another Rose': Village Pays Touching Tribute to Beloved Lifelong Resident

LEMONT, IL — Four mayors. Three village administrators. One village clerk. After 26 years as an assistant for the Village of Lemont, Rose Yates knew the ropes—and everyone knew Rose.

Lemont officials—former and current—paid tribute Monday to the beloved Lemont resident, a woman who poured her heart into the Lemont community for much of her adult life.

Yates was a lifelong resident of Lemont, graduate of now-defunct Mt. Assisi Academy, and an assistant for the Village of Lemont for 26 years—but "to encompass everything she did would nearly be impossible," Mayor Brian Reaves wrote in a tribute.

In a portion of the village board meeting dedicated to honoring her memory, Trustee Paul Chialdikas shared the tribute on behalf of Reaves, whose arrival to the meeting was delayed due to travel.

"For the 26 years she served her community, she always gave more than what was required of her, kept an eye on what was best for the community, and was an advocate for countless residents," Reaves wrote.

Yates was a US Peace Corps Volunteer. She sang in St. Patrick’s Church choir since 5th grade and helped with their golf outing. Since the late 1990’s, she was an active member of the Lemont Area Historical Society, Reaves wrote. She held a board seat since 2000. For her tireless work, she was gifted with a Life Membership in 2011.

She spearheaded efforts to have the downtown designated as an historical district. An ordinance was adopted on February 12, 2001, and the Historic Preservation Commission was formed. Rose was appointed to the commission in 2013 and worked passionately to preserve our historic buildings and homes, Reaves detailed. She knew the village and its workings intimately, and was the go-to source for residents and officials alike.

"With her passion for her Village came a spark, as you can bet she stood up for whatever she believed was right and fought to change the wrongs," Reaves said.

Former Police Chief Kevin Shaughnessy shared his memories of Yates, a woman he says, "made a big mark in my life."

Shaughnessy recalled his first days as chief under former Mayor John Piazza.

"I had a few questions about what the town was about, a few particular items, and I was told to go see Rose Yates. I quickly learned one thing: I respect Mayor Piazza, but I know she’s running the show, not him," he joked.

He remarked on her dedication to the village and its people.

"I’ll never meet another Rose Yates in my lifetime," Shaughnessy said. "I’ve met all kinds of people, good and bad, and there were none other like Rose. The world would be a great place if everybody had passion for anything.

"Rose had a passion for her family, for her friends, and she had a passion for the village of Lemont, like none other. There are some good salesman for this town, but if it was up to me, that water tower on State Street would have Rose’s picture on it."

In dedication, the village will erect an honorary street sign designating Lemont and Illinois streets as "Rose Yates Way." In addition, a bronze plaque will depict her as the Face of Lemont and be placed within the limestone of the outside of Village Hall.

He recalled his fondness for her with an anecdote about her request for him to judge an Irish soda bread contest.

"I didn’t have the heart to tell Rose that I don’t like Irish soda bread," he chuckled. Instead, Shaughnessy's wife subbed in to judge.

That was just the type of person Yates was, Shaughnessy implied. She moved you.

"It’s hard to put into words how much that woman meant to me," he added.

Former mayors Piazza and Kwasneski chimed in, as well.

"Lemont is much better off for having Rose," Piazza said. "She spent the better part of her adult life serving Lemont. All she wanted was everybody to experience all that was good about Lemont."

"She was the Village of Lemont," Kwasneski said. "And not all village employees do that. A lot of them don’t have the time. She made the time. She lived it and breathed it."

"She wasn’t afraid to step up. She was the boss. She pulled everything together. We certainly love her and miss her. She was great dealing with constituents.

"I’m going to miss seeing her on the streets at every event."