Anna L. Countryman, 71, who served for two decades as a school board member in Palatine, died Wednesday in Northwest Continuing Care Center in Arlington Heights.
Mrs. Countryman was elected in 1972 to the Palatine Township High School District 211 Board of Education. She held that position until she retired in 1992.
“High School District 211 was her life, and she gave all she had to the board and to the students,” said Glenn Hargrave, who has served on the school board since 1972. “She was one of–if not the most–dedicated member ever on the board.”
Mrs. Countryman, who studied to become a gym teacher, served on the board when the district began implementing Title IX, which requires schools to provide girls and boys equal access to athletic programs.
“When she came onto the board we had a few programs, say field hockey and volleyball, for girls,” Hargrave said. “But she worked really hard to ensure equal access. Now we have track, softball, basketball. She took the lead on that issue.”
In 1984, Mrs. Countryman was named State School Board member of the year by the Illinois Board of Education.
Mrs. Countryman also was honored locally. Since the early 1990s, Hoffman Estates High School has given out an annual Anna Countryman Spirit Award to the student who demonstrates the most school spirit.
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Born in Kokomo, Ind., Mrs. Countryman moved to Palatine in 1967. She was a former member of the Palatine Township Senior Citizen Advisory Board and the Northwest Community Hospital Foundation Board.
She was a member of several Republican organizations and the Presbyterian Church of Palatine.
Survivors include her husband, Highley Countryman; two sons, William and Andrew; five grandchildren; one sister; and one brother.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, 800 E. Palatine Rd., Palatine.