The DeKalb County Community Foundation and the Sycamore Education Foundation (SEF) are honored to announce the Jeri Delaney Memorial Fund. This Agency Fund honors the life and legacy of Jeri Delaney and keeps her heart of gold alive and well. The Fund’s purpose is to distribute to the Sycamore Education Foundation to award grants for the special education program at Sycamore High School.

Jeri Delaney was born in Joliet, IL, on June 8, 1945. She attended Joliet Township High School and graduated in 1963. After graduation, she worked at the National Bank and Trust as a savings teller and remained in that position until she married. Jeri met Pat Delaney, her future husband, on her 21st birthday. They married and moved to Champaign, IL. Pat attended the University of Illinois, and Jeri worked as a secretary for a dean at the College of Business.

Jeri embraced a full-time mom role in August 1968 when her daughter Colleen was born. The Delaney family moved to Sycamore, IL, in 1970. Pat was a professor at NIU, and Jeri worked at Henderson’s Department Store. From there, she worked for the Sycamore School District in their copy department and then accepted a position as a teacher’s aide at Sycamore High School. Jeri thrived in this role until 1999 when she retired to spend more time with her grandchildren.

In 2019, Jeri received the Sycamore High School Distinguished Alumni Award. “She was one of the warmest, kindest human beings ever to work at Sycamore High School,” said principal Tim Carlson. “Jeri went out of her way to help students. She could take the toughest students from the most challenging backgrounds, inspire them, and brighten their day.”

Jeri Delaney

Jeri passed away on August 2, 2022. Her legacy lives on through the students she impacted at Sycamore High School. Known to her students as “Miss Jeri” or “Grandma Jeri,” Jeri helped everyone she met. Her caring nature and generosity knew no bounds, and her presence lit up a room. Jeri would often say, “Treat every single person with kindness and respect; you never know what they’re going through.”

In addition, her legacy lives on through the newly created Jeri Delaney Fund. Her loving family and friends established this Fund to memorialize her life and solidify her legacy within Sycamore School District.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of Mrs. Delaney’s family and friends who wished to establish this special endowment Fund. We look forward to continuing to support our district’s special education program and honor Mrs. Delaney’s memory,” said Rachel Sauber, SEF Executive Director.

“Thanks to this collaboration between the Delaney family, the Sycamore Education Foundation, and donors who contribute to this Fund, the lives of many Sycamore High School students who receive special education services will be improved for decades to come,” said Dan Templin, Community Foundation Executive Director.

Donations to any Fund at the Community Foundation, including the Jeri Delaney Memorial Fund, can be made online or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL 60178. For questions or to get started creating your charitable Fund, please contact Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.