Northlake Ald. Sandy Delgado, a quiet advocate for community events in the city, died of cancer on March 28. She was 58.
Delgado was elected to the Northlake City Council in 2005. Though generally quiet at City Council meetings, she liked working behind the scenes.
“She was definitely a community events type,” said Mayor Jeff Sherwin. “Whenever we talked about cutting back on Northlake Days, she was a staunch defender. She had concern for her ward, flooding in particular.”
Ald. Rick Riesterer remembered Delgado’s passion for the community.
“Sandy always wanted to make a difference,” Riesterer said. “She used to go and visit the seniors at the Kent building. She used to go out of her way on their birthdays, making that day special. She enjoyed driving the golf cart that picked up seniors for Northlake Days.”
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Ald. Tom Padilla, who also represented the Second Ward, recalled her zeal for Northlake Days.
“She was always bubbly about things,” Padilla said. “When Northlake Days came around, she was always excited about that.”
Among other activities, she started the annual pie eating contest at Northlake Days in 2011.
“She started it, organized it and got sponsors,” said Elizabeth Biddle, who was friends with Delgado.
Delgado, who raised four sons, also served on the PTA at Riley School.
By city statute, the mayor will appoint a successor to Delgado’s seat in the second ward. That person will serve until the 2017 elections. Sherwin said he is considering who to appoint.