This fund was created upon the receipt of a bequest from the estate of Edna Rollins. The net income is distributed on an annual basis to the Aurora East Educational Endowment Foundation Fund within the Community Foundation, Edna M. Rollins Elementary School and St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Edna M. Rollins (1916-2010) was born in Aurora and lived in the community her entire life. In 1958, she built her home in Montgomery, and it remained her home until she retired to Jennings Terrace in 2007. It was at Jennings that she passed away on May 25, 2010.
Miss Rollins was a product of the East Aurora Schools, graduating in 1933. Three years later, she began her career with the school system. That career lasted forty-three years during which time she attained the positions of director of financial and administrative services and treasurer. She retired in 1979.
One of her proudest achievements was that she oversaw the construction of East Aurora High School. However, the ultimate honor to her tireless service was paid when the board of education voted to name an elementary school after her – the Edna M. Rollins Elementary School. Rollins School was an ongoing source of great pride to her and she visited at every opportunity.
A believer in lifelong education, she received a bachelor’s degree from Aurora College in 1972 and did additional coursework at Northern Illinois University and the University of Illinois.
Edna Rollins was a charter member of the Illinois Association of School Business Officials and the first woman to serve on its board of directors. At the time of her retirement, she was one of only two women in the country holding the registered school business administrator certificate.
A woman of many interests, she loved to travel, including sailing on the Queen Mary and trips to Alaska, Europe, and the Far East.
She was a member of the Minerva Coterie, Zonta, Woman’s Club of Aurora and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Naperville.
A woman recognized in her community, she received “Woman of the Year” honors from both the Aurora Business Women’s Association and the YWCA Aurora.
