Katie Murray, of Denver, daughter of Patricia and Denis Murray of River Forest, will marry Greg Critchfield of Denver, son of Leslee and Bill Critchfield, of Boulder, Colo.
Katie graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in communications and from Regis University with a master’s degree in education. She teaches fourth grade at Meadow Point Elementary School in Aurora, Colo.
Greg graduated from California State University in Los Angeles with a bachelor’s degree with a double major in accounting and computer information systems. He is a public accountant for Anton Collins Mitchell CPAs in Denver.
They will be married Aug. 4, 2006, in Boulder.
Jensen spends spring
break cleaning up
During their recent spring break, almost 70 Knox College students traveled to New Orleans to assist in the clean-up of the lower Ninth Ward. One of those students, Emily Jensen, is from Oak Park. Their story, along with student blogs and photos can be found at www.knox.edu/x12048.xml.
Heart of her school
Fenwick English teacher, Mary Marcotte, recently received a “Heart of the School” award for innovation and creativity in teaching from the Archdiocese of Chicago. The awards are given annually to 14 teachers from the archdiocese’s 258 schools. In addition to teaching, she also serves as director of school publications, including the yearbook and the Fewick literary magazine.
Traveling alive in Nicaragua
Oak Park residents Tom LeaMond and Molly Allscheid have spent the past year building a relationship with the people of Ocotal, Nicaragua. They have developed a Spanish language immersion and volunteer travel program called Travel Alive, which creates opportunities for travelers to become part of a Nicaraguan community. For your investment in their community, the residents will provide Spanish language classes taught by professional instructors, meaningful volunteer opportunities in critical need areas, cultural activities that highlight Nicaragua and the region around Ocotal, room, three meals a day, and the opportunity to share the lives of a Nicaraguan family.
Fenske honored by West Sub
Mary Fenske, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, has been selected as West Suburban Medical Center’s “Someone You Should Know.” Fenske was recognized for her ability to make a positive difference in her patients’ lives every day.
“She is a compassionate, driven and loyal person who is an inspiration to all,” said Jerry Pietrusiak, manager, Social Work. “I am so happy that she has been recognized for her efforts.”
Fenske splits time between the unit with the highest turnover rate, the Progressive Care Unit, and the Family Birthplace. She helps new mothers with limited resources get the support they need, whether it is food, shelter, clothes or transportation to and from the hospital to see their newborn infant. She also developed the hospital’s health care team intervention plan for families experiencing the loss of a baby. Mary was recognized by Resurrection Health Care’s Leadership Team at the System’s quarterly Leadership Development Seminar in March.
Baldwin’s Blue Heron
Deborah Baldwin of Oak Park has had her work, “Blue Heron,” named as a finalist in the International Quilt Association’s annual spring judged show, Celebrate Spring! The show will be held April 7-9 at the Donald E. Stephens Center in Rosemont.
“Compiled by Ken Trainor
Golden Key for Williams and Hoffstadter
Bridgette Carol Williams and Alexis Hoffstadter, both of Oak Park, recently were inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Golden Key, which is headquartered in Atlanta, bills itself as “the premier college/university honor society in the world.” Williams is a student nurse. Hoffstadter is a senior, majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology. She coaches ice skating at Ridgeland Common.