Loralee Pena

Loralee Pena, 72, of Rantoul, formerly of Urbana, peacefully passed away at Heartland Heath Care, Champaign, at 9:12 p.m. A visitation will be from 11:00 - 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Champaign-Urbana Chapel, 710 N. Neil St., Champaign, IL. A memorial ceremony will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Vicki Egli from Vineyard Church officiating. Loralee was born Loralee Jean Abbott on March 28, 1941 in Kankakee, IL. She married Albert Pena on November 26, 1965. Her mother was Jennie D. Saddoris-Hutchens. Both her mom and husband preceded her in death. Loralee is survived by her daughter, Marcella J. Pena, granddaughters Marisa J. Glenn and Marlee C. Glenn, Urbana, and many extended family members. She graduated from Urbana High School in 1959. She continued her education at the University of IL and received her bachelor degree in Special Education in 1963. Loralee began her teaching career in Hartford, CT at Barnard Brown School (1963-64). She taught the Primary Intermediate Special Class (Opportunity Class). Loralee spent her next 30 years of teaching Special Education (Primary, LD) at Rantoul City Schools. She was one of the pioneer teachers of the Special Education program and was very dedicated to all of her students, as well as her career. Loralee was initiated into The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Xi Chapter, in 1969, and served as president 1992-94. Loralee was also a member of The Fortnightly Club, Altrusa, and the Red Hat Society. Loralee was welcomed to teach ESL in the UIUC Intensive English Institute during the summer of 1992. After retirement she spent a great deal of time as a mentor/educator for the after school program at Hope Meadows (foster care) Community where she was considered a foster grandparent to many. She put in a lot of time, effort, and creativity into her work at Hope Meadows and the kids she worked with. She also served as a substitute teacher/teacher aide at RCS for a few years after retirement. Loralee enjoyed spending time with her daughter and granddaughters, writing in her journals, art, and learning new things. Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Champaign-Urbana Chapel is charge of arrangements. Please visit sunsetfuneralhome.com to share in memories of Loralee's life.