Eileen “Lee” Bauers, nee Thompson, 52, of West Chicago, born Nov. 9, 1952, loving wife of Michael; beloved daughter of the late James Joseph and Teresa Boyle Thompson and daughter-in-law of Pat and the late Dick Bauers; dear stepmother of Carrie and Chris Bauers; cherished sister of Teri Rizzo and Pat Thompson; caring aunt of Jim, John and Jeff Rizzo, Tess Bittermann, Ashley and Ricky Bauers, Matt and Dan Bauers, Jenna, Liz and Danny Fahey, Tyler and Tasha Bauers, Ben and Kelsey Bauers, William and Analise and Jannalynn Bauers, Analise and Jake Chemelik, Cait- lin, Brian, Kelly, Margaret, Kevin, Jack and Daniel Kent; fond sister-in-law of Jim Bittermann and Robert Rizzo, Rich and Berta Bauers, Bob and Pat Bauers, Sue and Rick Fahey, Rog and Julie Bauers, Jake and Miriam Bauers, Joe and DeeDee Bauers, Mary and Kevin Kent. Lee devoted her career to emergency medicine, in her personal belief that the effectiveness of the first caregiver was key to survival for many patients. She went to nursing school at night while working days at Commonwealth Edison and later trained and worked as an emergency medical technician. She became a registered nurse in 1983, choosing the challenge of the emergency room at Mount Sinai Hospital on Chicago’s west side as her first RN position. Several years later she became coordinator and, in 2001, director of the Southern Fox Valley EMS System, where she was responsible for training and recertifying paramedics in many west suburban communities. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1992, she unselfishly devoted many years as a volunteer counselor for Wellnes House in Hinsdale, where she introduced cancer patients to support services. She was also an enthusiastic participant for many cancer fundraising activities, most notably the Kane County Relay for Life and the NOCC Walk for the Whisper. In recognition of her selfless time and energy devoted to the fight against cancer, the family suggests donations be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society, 143 First St., Batavia, IL, 60510. Funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Saturday at Resurrection Catholic Church, Army Trail Rd. and Rt. 59, West Chicago. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Geneva. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Yurs Funeral Home, 405 E. Main St. (Rte 64, North Ave. & Rte 25), St. Charles.
