Deerfield Public Library Mourns Loss of Board Member Emily Wallace

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The Deerfield Public Library Board and staff are mourning the loss of board member Emily Wallace, a beloved first-grade teacher at South Park Elementary School for 21 years. Wallace had served on the library board since 2021 and was a supporter of the library's programs, materials, services, and staff. Her contributions were informed by her personal experiences as a Deerfield school teacher, and her dedication to youth programming will be deeply missed.

Why it matters

Wallace's service on the library board and her work on the Building Committee and Memorials Committee helped shape the library's direction and initiatives. Her passing is a significant loss for the Deerfield community, which she served through both her teaching and library board roles.

The details

During her time on the library board, Wallace regularly offered ideas that helped inform library decisions. On the Memorials Committee, she was credited with revitalizing the Giving Tree program, which recognizes community members who volunteer their time to the library. The library said Wallace's dedication to the Deerfield community was evident in her work, and that everyone at the institution will miss her presence and contributions.

• Wallace had served on the Deerfield Public Library Board since 2021.
• Wallace's service is planned for 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2026.

What’s next

Wallace's service is planned for 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2026, at The Chapel in Buffalo Grove. The service will be livestreamed on Emily's page at www.goldmanfuneralgroup.com, and interment will follow at Shalom Memorial Park in Arlington Heights.