Lillian E (Rawaillot) Potts

Lillian Elizabeth (Rawaillot) Potts, passed away on Saturday November 4, 2023 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, ILL.

Lillian was born at Presbyterian Hospital, Chicago, IL on August 16, 1948 she was 75 yrs old and was the daughter of Peter and Geraldine ( White ) Rawaillot of Lombard Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bob Potts...She graduated from Glenbard West High School. Lillian was involved in a car accident in 1967 that left her a paraplegic and confined to a wheelchair. She would not let this stop her and she became active in changing the stereotypes of handicapped individuals and advocating awareness of their needs and rights. Lillian became the first wheelchair student at the College of DuPage. She served on the Illinois Governor’s committee on the handicapped: was assistant to the executive director of the White House Conference on the Handicapped; and served on the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission Human Rights Authority. She has also organized architectural awareness events. She has won many awards for volunteering in many organizations.

After receiving her A.A. degree from College of DuPage in 1972, She earned a B.A. degree in special education and elementary education from Southern Illinois University.

Lillian was a teacher at the A.L. Bowen Center for special education and later worked for the State of Illinois as a Disability Claims Adjudicator.

Lillian was the first Miss Wheelchair Illinois in 1975 and also competed in some wheelchair basketball.

She is survived by her brother: Michael (Deborah) Rawaillot of Woodridge, IL. Nieces : Stephanie ( Dale ) Luca, Amanda M. Rawaillot  Nephew : Michael F. Rawaillot   Half Sisters : Teri Meyer, Darline Shanahan and Tammy Schwartz ,  Extended foster families : Mother Lois ( Michaels ) Kohler : Brothers , Scott, Ross, Jeff Heise  and Ken Michaels . Sisters : Becky ( Michaels ) Montesino , Gail ( Heise ) Knighton, Kim ( Heise ) McDaniel.  WIth many Aunts Uncles Nieces Nephews as well as Dear Friends...

In lieu of flowers please donate to one of her favorite charities:

Wounded Warrior Project:  woundedwarriorproject.org

St Jude Children’s Hospital: stjude.org  

Adopt A Husky:    adoptahusky.com

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