Where are you from and how long have you lived in town? What brought you to the area?
I am originally from Des Plaines, IL but moved to the Ville (Green Oaks) back before all of you were born in 1976.
Do you have child(ren)? Age(s)
My daughters are Dr. Jordan Leasure and Dr. Jade Dellinger, both Libertyville residents & your local Libertyville chiropractors at North Shore Pro-Active Health. I will make you guess their ages! 😊 Because of them I also have two adorable grandsons, Parker age 4 and Jamison age 22 months.
What are your favorite things to do in the area with and without your kids? Family friendly restaurant? Date night?
There are so many things that I love doing in the area, although a lot of them have been curtailed a little bit in the last 10 months. Most of my local fun involves food so I am a huge supporter of our local restaurants both eat in and order out. This goes for date night, hanging with friends and family nights and baby sitting nights. I am also a huge supporter of shopping local and since my office is smack in the middle of Libertyville I have access to all of the wonderful shops from Rocky Mountain Chocolate, Singalila, The Bootery Boutique, My Charcuterie and I can even walk to my local chiropractors at North Shore Pro-Active Health! One night each week since the beginning the shut downs I have made a point of ordering meals for 8 of us at a different local restaurant and Jordan, Jade and I take turns hosting. As things open up I can’t wait to take my grandsons bowling and to the movies.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor or in the corporate world?
I am the Division President of Diamond Residential Mortgage at 533 N. Milwaukee and I have been in this location since 2000.Previously I owned Alliance Financing Mortgage at the same location. Both my daughter Jade and myself are board members for a beloved charity, Twice as Nice Mother and Child DBA Keeping Families Covered where we volunteer and participate in distributing more than one million diapers to local Lake County families in need per year! Local Libertyvillians are invited to join us in volunteering to wrap diaper packs for distribution or to donate diapers right at my office. My goal is to make our charity as well known as Feed My Starving Children.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
I have been blessed to live in a community that cares about others and makes it a point to interact both socially and professionally locally. Referrals from local residents who want to purchase or refinance their homes keep us busy with people who we love.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
There may be many things: I was a teacher in Waukegan for 20 years and two of my former students from Jack Benny Jr, High work for me in my office. I taught for 10 years for the adjunct faculty if Columbia College, I am a former Realtor, I was the first “Coupon Queen” and used to get free groceries from Parkway Foods in Libertyville (paying with coupons of course) when Eddie Bauer was the owner, I was a nationally syndicated columnist ($uper $aver, Universal Press Syndicate) for 30 years and I have been on more than 500 radio and tv shows including Phil Donahue. Now I just work 60 hours a week doing mortgages and teaching clients about home finance.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another Mom?
“This too shall pass”
“It only hurts for a minute!”
What are your favorite places to travel near and far and why?
My favorite place on the planet is Sanibel Island Florida where we – all 8 of us – spent Christmas and New Years this year, I love the ocean, the gulf and the laid back environment. I also love Italy and we all traveled there two years ago, so Mr. Parker has really become a world traveler.
Which podcasts and/or TED Talks inspire you the most?
My favorite Ted talks include a talk by my friend Joyce Turnbull who’s mother was interred in a Japanese internment camp during WWII. The topic is Japanese American Experience: Kindness Overcomes Discrimination. It is a favorite of mine because I know her mom, still alive and active today at almost 100 years old. I also like the Power of Vulnerability by Brene Brown.
Tell me about your favorite books. I love receiving fiction and non-fiction recommendations!
As a former reading teacher I love books and can spend days in a good bookstore. I have two favorite books right now; One has been a forever favorite, “The Little Red Hen” (a Golden Book) that should be read to every child repeatedly. (If you can’t help plant the seeds and harvest the corn you can’t eat the bread). Currently reading a book that was recommended to me by a friend who is very introverted (a trait that I do not understand). The book is called “Quiet” by Susan Cain. I would recommend this to anyone who is an introvert and feels they don’t fit in, or to extroverts like myself who have difficulty relating to introverts (I have an introverted child)
What is next for you?
I am thinking about starting a podcast, “Advice From the Old Chick.”
*This post was sponsored by North Shore Pro-Active Health
