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A Life Supremely Lived
Nancy Corwith Hamill Winter, a visionary conservationist, passionate equestrian, and student of the world, died peacefully on February 27, 2026, while spending time with her beloved horses and friends in Aiken, South Carolina. She was 83. Based in Woodstock, Vermont, Nancy was a proud native of Illinois, where her family had deep roots. Nancy leaves a legacy of kindness, generosity, and collaborative leadership in numerous organizations and in communities across the country.
Born on March 9, 1942, Nancy spent her childhood in Wayne, Illinois, exploring local fields and forests with her family and cadre of close friends involved in the Wayne-DuPage Pony Club. She attended the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, Skidmore College, Bennett College, and George Washington University where she studied Asian language and cultures. In the early 1960's, Nancy taught English in post-war Japan, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to cross-cultural understanding. Nancy went on to a distinguished career as an equestrian competitor, coach, and breeder, coming within reach of the 1984 US Olympic Equestrian team. Nancy was also deeply invested in the emerging field of therapeutic riding as well as supporting young competitive riders and a next generation of elite equestrian eventers. One of her proudest
accomplishments was owning and breeding the 2025 Connemara Sport Horse of the Year, No May Moon, trained and ridden by long-time equestrian partner Allison Springer.
Nancy traveled the world and embraced every journey with extraordinary preparation, an open heart, and an adventurous spirit that was infectious to all. She found humor and awe in her travels, making authentic connections and lifelong friendships with those she met along her way. Nancy held her most special places close to her heart: the remnant native prairies and burr oak savannas of Illinois, the rolling fields of Virginia in fall riding season, snowy peaks in the Rockies, Alps, and Himalayas, and her favorite trout streams. A tireless and conscientious traveler, she felt equally at home exploring exotic markets and visiting ancient sacred sites around the world.
Witnessing the loss of cherished natural areas and ongoing environmental degradation spurred a lifetime of activism and strategic action to conserve farmland and wildlife habitat. Nancy held significant leadership roles and was an active supporter of The Nature Conservancy (Illinois Chapter), Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, Equine Land Conservation Resource, Teton Regional Land Trust, Bhutan Foundation, and other organizations. She applied a keen intellect, gave generously, and honed deep collaboration skills to advance environmental stewardship, equestrian causes, and democracy at the local and national levels. Nancy was an enthusiastic yet patient bridge-builder with allies dedicated to honoring and protecting nature. In her last decade, Nancy developed meaningful relationships with leaders of the Ho-Chunk Nation and other Native
Americans who shared her land ethic
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Dr. Kyung W. Koo, age 86, passed away on March 12, 2026, peacefully at his home in Elgin, IL
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Frederick G. (Jerry) Hill (May 22, 1945 - February 24, 2026)
Jerry is survived by three daughters, Michelle Parker (Rick), Jennifer Melvin (Brian), and Jacqueline Gomez (Jesus); seven grandchildren, Bo, Annette, Mark, Blake, Amanda, Brock, and Elizabeth
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Karen C. Peka, 55-year resident of Carol Stream, IL, passed away on March 8, 2026, at the age of 83
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Cherilyn R. Rechner (née Anders), 81, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2026, surrounded by the deep love of her family. She was born February 9, 1945, in Cleveland, Ohio and had been a resident of Vernon Hills, Illinois since 1977
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Duane L. "Dusty" Rhoades, 84, of Morrison, IL, died Thursday, March 5, 2026, peacefully at his home
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Born Oct. 1, 1930; entered eternal life March 5, 2026
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Martha (Sekerak) Istvan
Dec. 11, 1931 - March 7, 2026
Martha S. Istvan, 94, of Barrington, IL, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026. She was born December 11, 1931, on a farm in rural Berlin Heights, OH
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Feb. 20, 1945 - March 3, 2026
Gayle Menke Franzen—a distinguished Illinois public servant, transportation leader, investment banker, and devoted family man—passed away on March 3, 2026. He was 81
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Dorothy S. Gabbei, 103, passed away peacefully at home on March 8, 2026. She was born on March 10, 1922, in Oak Park, Illinois, and grew up in Elmhurst
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