Statement Regarding Passing of County Board Member Audrey Nixon
It is with a heavy heart that Lake County announces the
passing of a cherished friend, passionate and dedicated community leader and
devoted mother and grandmother, Audrey H. Nixon.
Audrey was found in her North Chicago home the morning of
Thursday, April 27. Audrey was 82 years
old.
Audrey
was the longest-serving Lake County Board member (District 14), beginning her
service in 1982. She was a resident of North Chicago and also represented portions
of Park City, Waukegan, and Gurnee. During her tenure, she served on dozens of
committees, including serving as the long-time distinguished Chair of the
County Board’s Law and Judicial Committee.
Audrey’s commitment to her church and
community ran deep. She was a member of Christian Valley Missionary Baptist
Church in North Chicago under the leadership of Senior Pastor Henry Woods.
The Lake County Board and the entire Lake County family send their deepest condolences to family, friends, her church, and community members who
gave Audrey endless love and support. She will be remembered forever in their
hearts.
Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor said, “Audrey was a kind,
diligent and gracious leader for over three decades on the Lake County Board.
She cared deeply for her district and especially North Chicago. She carried herself with a level of grace and
dignity of a time gone by. But make no
mistake, if you crossed North Chicago or got on the wrong side of her on a
civil justice issue, she would make no bones about it.”
He added, “Audrey led with one key mantra - she wanted people to work together and she
would remind you of that just about every chance she could, whether you were a
legislator, judge, colleague, staff member or constituent. At a tense meeting or during a debate on a
divisive issue, she would say something like ‘I understand all this, but we
have got to work together.’ And, it
wasn't just what she said, but how she said it - in the same way the
matriarch of a family can gracefully and forcefully refocus a conversation,
Audrey did that for us. She was our
matriarch and we were her colleagues and second family.”
Audrey truly cared about people and she made it her life purpose to help them. She focused on
initiatives that could transform lives for the better, especially in young
people. For example, she was very passionate about the Youth Build that provides at-risk young adults with the education and training necessary to become gainfully employed and build a better future. She was a tireless advocate for programs that promote and advance diversity and inclusion.
She will be remembered for her quiet strength, wisdom, fearless persistence and sense of optimism, which made her an exceptional leader.
Audrey is survived by three children (Rodney, Tonya and
Anthony), and 20 grandkids. Funeral arrangements are being finalized.
Photos of County
Board Member Audrey Nixon
Other Memberships
& Other Public Service
- School
Board Member
- Enterprise Commission, Chair
- Minority Affairs Commission
- Private Industry Council
- National Association of
Counties Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee
- Illinois Association of Park
Districts
- North Chicago Leadership
Council - North Chicago
- District 187 Steering
Committee
- NAACP Emblem Chapter 140
- BET Organization
- Shawall Court #4 Daughter of
Isis
- League of Women Voters
- Waukegan Township Coalition
to Reduce Recidivism, past President
###
Contact
Jennie Vana
Communications Manager, Lake County
jvana@lakecountyil.gov
847-377-2154
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