Lannie LeGear, Board Chair and Mental Health Advocate

The C4 community has lost a great friend and advocate. It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of C4 Board Chair Lannie LeGear, Ph.D. on March 7. Lannie first served as a member of C4's board for several years, but was forced to resign due to illness. She returned to the board and in 1998, assumed chairmanship.

A strong advocate for mental health and the welfare of children, Lannie was a certified school psychologist as well as a registered psychologist. She was the former director of Cove School, the nation’s oldest school for learning disabled children. With Alderman Mary Ann Smith, she worked on education issues in the community and city.

Lannie also found time to serve on numerous state commissions. Lannie was tireless in her efforts to support C4 and was proud of the care we provide to the people in our communities. This commitment to others was also evident in Lannie’s personal life. Not many of you know that Lannie and her life partner, Dorothy O’Byrne, sponsored a Laotian family of eight in 1979. In fact, the two youngest members of the family actually lived with Lannie and Dorothy.

The C4 community extends our deepest sympathy to Dorothy and members of Lannie’s extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Dorothy has requested that contributions be made to C4. We are grateful for her generosity. You can mail contributions to: Development Department/C4, 4740 N. Clark, Chicago, Il 60640; you may also visit www.c4chicago.org to make an online donation. Thank you for honoring Lannie’s memory.