They held the party of the century Saturday in the children’s corner of the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library in honor of Marie Antoinette Iafollo, who celebrated her 100th birthday the day before.
It was the perfect place to honor this tireless teacher and fierce advocate for all the arts. After all, it was her untiring effort in the 1970s that helped residents in Steger and South Chicago Heights to pass a referendum establishing a public library district.
Her life spans a century of dedication to and passion for all things creative in a lifetime of benefit to and for all. She served her town and the larger community, from the south suburbs to far-flung areas of the world in her mission as a teacher.
For years she worked as a teacher in the U.S. Department of Defense school system instructing American students stationed overseas with classrooms spanning the world from Japan to Italy.
Returning home, she became a respected art teacher and arts program leader in the south suburbs. At a teacher in Park Forest’s Sauk Trail School she created a gifted arts program, involved students in art fairs and organized field trips to Chicago’s Art Institute, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the opera.
Nothing was off the table for this petite force of nature. She started the Tall Grass Arts School in Park Forest. All it took was time, effort and money.
Throughout the afternoon, friends, relatives and all those who profited from her devotion to learning came by to honor her, reminisce with her and show their appreciation for her lifelong efforts.
Friends and family brought flowers, gave hugs, shared memories and took photos of themselves with the honoree.
One of the organizers was Janet Fiorenzo, a petite bundle of exploding energy who is best remembered as the one-time owner of Tower Cleaners, and the three-time winner of Park Forest’s businessperson of the year award.
There is something to be said for Marie’s dedication, dependability and steadfastness of spirit, and is evidently shown by the fact she lives in the same house in Steger where her parents resided when she was born.
Next to the sign-in book was a basket with red and white pens with “Happy 100th Birthday Marie” inscribed on them. Dare one hope that someone will take this writing instrument and someday author a book, or a poem, or a song or something that would give pleasure to others.
That would be Marie’s immortal legacy.
Hall of fame
Marie Iafollo was inducted into the Park Forest Hall of Fame in 2012 and Janet Fiorenzo made it in 2020. This Sunday, seven more people will be welcomed at 3 p.m. in Freedom Hall.
Sponsored by the Park Forest Historical Society, here is this year’s list of honorees:
- The late Tim Jones, the Park Forest police officer who for nearly 10 years fought to survive near fatal bullet wounds to his head, and whose funeral service last December drew perhaps more than 1,000 mourners.
- Retired Village Manager Tom Mick and his wife, Tracy, who may be the village’s “first family” for their public and private efforts for the community. Mick served Park Forest for more than 25 years and Tracy was a public face at almost every event in town while helping to raise three children.
- Alan Franklin, whose Muzicnet School of Music on Main Street has been connecting students of all ages with the art of music for more than 30 years.
- Jennifer Whitston, a member of the village’s Beautification Awards Committee who started a Buy Nothing Park Forest program that helps residents donate items to others.
- Michelle Johnson, whose passion for working for and with others includes her effort with Tall Grass Arts Association and her work as a hearing judge in the village’s court system.
- Tushar Pandya, who transformed a small business area on Sauk Trail into a thriving multibusiness enterprise.
Jerry Shnay is a freelance columnist for the Daily Southtown.
