On July 7, 2016, our beloved mother/wife, Jan Bateman Willenborg, was killed in a car accident in

St. Charles about a mile from her home of 33 years. We were heartbroken by this great loss, as Jan

was everything we could have ever wanted, and more, in a wife and mother.

Jan was passionate about many things in her life, and one of those things was an organization

called P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization). P.E.O. is a international organization of

women with the mission of “Women helping women reach for the stars.” It has local chapters

around the country whose members have a broad group of interests and talents, all with the

common goal of helping other women. Jan served as President of Chapter OB of P.E.O. in

St. Charles for two years (2013 to 2015), and she remained actively involved in the organization

until her death.To honor her memory, we have decided to create the Jan Bateman Willenborg P.E.O.

Memorial Scholarship, to be awarded every spring -- beginning in May 2019 -- to a deserving young

woman who is a high school senior attending either St. Charles North, St. Charles East, Geneva, or

Jan cared deeply about people. She was warm, compassionate, and a friend to everyone she

encountered; she was a beautiful person, both inside and out. She had a contagious personality

that lit up the room when she walked in, so it is no surprise that her classmates chose her to be the

first homecoming queen of the high school she attended in Decatur, IL. School and education were

very important to her. She not only spent years volunteering in the schools of the various

communities in which she lived when her three children were young, but she also served as an

officer in Parent Teacher Organizations, was a member of a number of school planning committees,

led teen groups in schools and in her church, taught religious education, was a Girl Scout leader,

and conducted marriage preparation classes for her church. And all the while she continued to

support and encourage the education of her own children throughout their lives. Her involvement

went beyond the schools as well, as she was always an active member of the communities in which

she lived, serving as president of numerous organizations. She also worked as a sales

representative for The Marketplace for 14 years. Jan was an excellent example of a woman who

used her talents and gifts to influence and support those around her. Jan always had a strong

desire to help others, particularly in the local communities in which she lived, so a scholarship to

help further the education of some of the outstanding young women in the communities of

St Charles, Geneva, and Batavia seems like an appropriate way to honor her memory.

If you would like to know more about PEO International go to https://www.peointernational.org/

High School with a strong academic record, community/school involvement, and a minimum 3.0 GPA

Please include an official copy of your transcript ( no screen shots please) along with two letters

of recommendation including one from a teacher (no screen shots please).

Academic Information:

GPA (7 semesters):

College or University:

High School Activities

(ex., athletics, clubs, etc.): Include the years, offices held, committees chaired, and awards earned.

Community Service

Hours per Month