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DuPage Foundation is mourning the loss of Trustee Emeritus Willis M. Gillett

DuPage Foundation is mourning the loss of Trustee Emeritus Willis M. Gillett, who passed away on May 17, 2022 at the age of 85.

A longtime resident of Naperville, Gillett was a highly respected community leader in DuPage County, serving on several local not-for-profit boards and committees. He devoted countless volunteer hours to DuPage Foundation and was honored as a Trustee Emeritus in 2010 after retiring from the Board of Trustees after 10 years of service.

Gillett served as Treasurer of the Board in 2005, and was chair of the Finance Committee from 2005 – 2006. He last served on the Foundation’s Investment and Strategic Planning committees in 2013, and had previously served on the Development, Financial Operations and Bylaws committees.

In 1997, Gillett opened a donor-advised fund through DuPage Foundation, recommending grants to not-for-profit causes he admired most. He also became a member of DuPage Foundation’s Legacy Society after naming the Foundation as a beneficiary of his estate, including a life insurance policy.

“Will played a role in helping us reach many milestones,” said DuPage Foundation President & CEO Dave McGowan. “A true philanthropist, Will loved community service and advocated for charitable giving throughout his career and volunteer engagements. His dedication to the Foundation and his generosity will impact our community for generations to come.”

Gillett was elected as chairman of the board at Benedictine University in 1999. Upon his retirement from the board, he received the St. Benedict Medal for his service to the University over a span of 20 years. The University further honored him by naming one of the buildings after him at the Tempe, Arizona campus. Gillett also served as president of the board of directors of Marianjoy Hospital, and was a board member for the Three Fires Council, Boy Scouts of America. For all of his charitable commitments, he was honored in 2005 with the Philanthropic Leadership Award from West Suburban Philanthropic Network.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Willis M. Gillett Rural Student Scholarship Fund through the University of Wisconsin Foundation: https://supportuw.org/giveto/GilletRuralFund. Visitation and service details are listed below.

Memorial Visitation
Thursday, June 2
4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services
44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL 60540

Memorial Mass
Friday, June 3
11:00 a.m.
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church
1450 Green Trails Dr., Naperville, IL 60540

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