Sue Bertram, a former member of the Homewood-Flossmoor Park Board, died Aug. 25 after a long battle with cancer. She was 71.
Mrs. Bertram had served on the board for 23 years, the longest tenure of any park commissioner. She stepped down from the board in 2016. During her tenure, the board built the Goldberg Administration Building in Flossmoor, developed Patriots and Millennium Parks, a sports complex at James Hart School and purchased the former Cherry Hills Golf Course that was redeveloped into Coyote Run Golf Course.
“She was an ardent supporter of the park district and the community she loved,” said Debbie Kopas, parks executive director. “She brought enthusiasm and vast wisdom to many projects that improved the offerings for her constituents, friends and neighbors. She truly created a legacy for the park district and for those she so proudly served.”
Mrs. Bertram also was known as the “bird lady” for her dedication to the Zoo/Bots program at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, and lent her red feathered macaw, Bella, to the program the past 20 years.
The program was initiated in 1969 as part of a biology class taught by Karen Nyberg. Then it became a Plants and Animals program for seniors. Among Nyberg’s volunteers was Sue Bertram who helped raise money for animal food through craft fairs. She had continued her involvement with the program, and recently had lent the program another macaw, Majestic Blue.
Mrs. Bertram is survived by her husband, Jack, and daughter Jacki, son-in-law Brian Graham, two grandchildren and a brother.
The family is planning a celebration of her life on Sunday, Sept. 25, at Wiley’s Grill at Coyote Run Golf Course.