Kathryn “Kelly” Ann Sweeting (née Fallaw), 63, of Wonder Lake, IL, and, in later in life, Salem Lakes, WI, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 6, 2024. Born in 1960, in Arlington Heights, IL. Sweeting was a beloved mother, sister, daughter aunt, and friend – also to this publication.
Kelly resigned her position in April 30th, 2024, due to health reasons saying:
“As some of you may be aware, I have entered into a season of my life where attending to my personal health has become an uphill battle, the cost of which demands time and energy. For the good of the Village, I believe it is time that a new member of our community be appointed to carry out the role and responsibility entrusted to me. It is with a heavy heart that I resign my position effective Tuesday, April 30th at noon.“
Sweeting was elected just over one year ago on April 4, 2023. She received 2,743 votes, – the highest of any other candidate. During her short time on the board, she was clearly prepared and unafraid to voice her opinion to her colleagues.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Campaign Photos)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Brian Filiatreault, a Salem Lakes business owner has been very vocal in village politics. After hearing of Sweeting’s resignation, Filiatreault had the following to say:
“I had the pleasure of meeting Kelly Sweeting when she was a voice for her community at numerous village board meetings. She was dedicated in defending her neighbors in regards to the safety of a new gas station. Kelly has been dedicated in supporting her fellow taxpayers. This led to her decisive victory as a new trustee for the Village of Salem Lakes. I personally know that this past year has been a challenge for her, yet she still stepped up to the plate to fulfill her duties as a village trustee and library board member. Kelly has always supported those that needed a voice. We need more people like her on community boards. I will greatly miss her insight and wish her well in her future endeavors. As a friend I want to say, thank you Kelly.”
(Campaign Photo)
Reach for comment, President Bucur had the following just say of Sweeting’s resignation.
“Trustee Sweeting’s commitment, passion, and invaluable contributions have left an indelible mark on our community. Her insights helped shape the direction of our initiatives and contributed to our successes during the immense challenges we were faced with last year.
Kelly demonstrated unwavering dedication, integrity, and genuine concern for this Village, and because of that, she helped us achieve significant milestones in a very short time.
She was a true professional who took the position of Village Trustee to heart and set a remarkable example for others to follow. Whomever takes over the remainder of her term will undoubtedly have big shoes to fill.
I cannot thank her enough for her selfless service and I am confident that the impact of her legacy will continue to resonate within this Village and have a positive impact for years to come. Our community is stronger because of her.”
President Bucur also said a few words about Kelly during tonight’s meeting:
“I met Kelly last year. I had no idea who she was until we all decided to run, and we thought we should all run together as a group. I got to know Kelly as she had a sarcastic sense of humor.
She was incredibly witty, very smart, and as the only other female up here, you know, but just as also a colleague, I am going to miss her. I think that she would have really helped out a lot this year with what we need to accomplish, and she will be missed, so I just want to thank her for having the courage to run and, you know, I’m going to miss her.”
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
“Kelly and I ran together, and she was always there to help me. I’ve known her husband that’s passed. I’ve known her family, her kids.
Really true loving person. She was a great person as a trustee, so she’s definitely going to be missed here on the village board,” said Trustee Jared Young.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
“Dear Colleagues,
Over the past year it has been my honor and privilege to devote my time to serving our community. It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside the trusted members of our board and staff, whose character and diligence reflects the resolve of the VOSL community to create a better, more transparent government.
As some of you may be aware, I have entered into a season of my life where attending to my personal health has become an uphill battle, the cost of which demands time and energy. For the good of the Village, I believe it is time that a new member of our community be appointed to carry out the role and responsibility entrusted to me. It is with a heavy heart that I resign my position effective Tuesday, April 30th at noon.
I am confident that the board will continue to fight the good fight, keep the faith, and finish the race that we all began together.
Warm regards,
Kathryn (Kelly) Sweeting”
Obituary:
Kelly was the third of six children born to Patrick and Nancy (Hogan) Fallaw. She enjoyed growing up in Wonder Lake, sharing stories such as creating neighborhood carnivals with friends, biking, fishing, and taking her Butterfly boat for a sail whenever she could. Kelly also loved opportunities to attend Cubs games as a kid when going to work with her dad, a Chicago Fire Captain stationed across from Wrigley Field. She shared how neat it was to sit behind the dugout while dangling the game program with a fishing pole to get the Cubs’ autographs. She also had an opportunity to experience being a “bat girl” during a home game or two.
While attending Marian Central Catholic High School (1978), Kelly made fond memories participating in school activities, including poms, building parade floats, as well as acting in multiple theater performances at the Woodstock Opera House.
Kelly was incredibly versatile and multitalented in her professional life, in roles such as office manager, business owner, realtor, and Certified Nursing Assistant just to name a few. Her most recent and proudest pursuit was being elected as a Trustee of the Salem Lakes Village Board in April 2023, while a resident of Trevor, Wisconsin. During her tenure, Kelly was prepared and ready to voice her opinion, dedicating her position to advocate for her community.
In her personal life, Kelly loved classic movies, going to estate sales, camping and the Packers. One major joy was taking road trips with her family, experiencing new adventures and spending quality time with her children, grandchildren and other loved ones. She believed memories and experiences were the best gifts and this was a big part of her love language. Kelly also had strong determination and will as a mother, with perseverance and steadfastness, always expressing the importance of doing the right thing, no matter the situation. She was a loving mother and “Mamo” to her grandchildren, offering sound guidance, support, mentorship and unconditional love. Kelly also had deep faith in Christ. She held close to her faith in times of joy and crisis, and she shared openly with everyone who gave her the opportunity.
Kelly was a devoted mother, Mamo, and friend whose memories, guidance, perseverance, compassion, tenacity, generosity, humor and faith will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
Survived by her children, Nancy (Justin) Kalinowski, Travis King, Deanna Paice, Skye Paice, Jeremiah (Maurissa) Sweeting; grandchildren, Gavin and Macaulay Kalinowski, William Denecke, Trinity and Quinton Paice; sister, Karen (George) Cadotte; brothers, Patrick (Joyce) Fallaw, Paul (Lee) Fallaw, Peter Fallaw, Joseph (Kendra) Fallaw; many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her parents, Patrick and Nancy Fallaw; former husband, Jeffrey R. Paice; devoted partner, Harmon A. Tyllas.
Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 12- 2p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service at Thompson Spring Grove Funeral Home, 8103 Wilmot Road, Spring Grove, IL. 60081
9 Responses
I never met her but she sounds like a person you would like to call “friend”.
May she Rest In Peace and we emulate her public service.
Kelly, I’ll miss you. I often think of what could have been – we would have accomplished great things in our Village. I know you would have been a driving force in many of our initiatives and would have been a voice to many. Rest in peace, Kelly.
I extend my deepest sympathy to her family.
Saddened to hear of her passing. Condolences to her family and all others that had the opportunity to know her.
Rest in peace Kelly. Thank you for the time you gave to our community as a Village Trustee.
My family is thankful for this tribute article and also the very kind comments in remembrance of our mom, Kelly.
I am heartbroken with the thought of Kelly no longer being with us. I met Kelly about a year and a half ago when she was informing the public about the gas station being proposed in the VOSL. What struck me about Kelly was how involved she became in certain issues that were close to her heart. Seeing her efforts firsthand in improving the gas station project made her a clear choice for trustee for the VOSL. The gas station initiative was the stepping stone that sparked her interest in serving on a larger scale. When she won her position as a trustee with the highest number of votes for a trustee, it made me see people in the community were paying attention. The community decided to trust her to do the right thing. Kelly always looked out for the citizens first. Her efforts were concerned about whether their needs were being met or considered. I truly believe Kelly would have been an outstanding long-term trustee for the Village if life didn’t change her path. This is a life lesson to all; we are never guaranteed tomorrow. Kelly’s first and only year of service was sadly met with many personal challenges with her and her partner’s health. Kelly still stepped up and served as a trustee and also served on the library board, this required an incredible effort on her part, but she told me she was committed to the Village of Salem Lakes. Kelly made every effort to finish the commitment to the Village, but her health made it impossible to go any further, her perseverance was truly unique and should be honored by all. Thank you, Kelly you will be missed. My deepest sympathy to her family and grieving friends.
Thank you to all for your well-wishes and condolences. There will never be another person like my mom. I’m so happy to hear the stories of her impact, and the inspiration she drew. I hope to see her again some day.