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Crossing guard mourned in Deerfield: 'We need more Celestes in the world'

crossing guard memorial
Memorial for Celeste Thurlwell
Deerfield Police

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — There is an outpouring of respect and fondness on the social media page of Deerfield Police Department as parents pay tribute to a crossing guard who kept children safe for more than 20 years.

It was unexpected, says Deerfield Police Cmdr. Chris Fry: the death of crossing guard Celeste Thurlwell.


She died Jan. 3 at the age of 78.

Thurlwell's post was near Kipling Elementary School, helping children at busy Deerfield Road, Fry said.

"Yesterday I was even told that somebody had put a bouquet of flowers and a sign up at the intersection on one of the stoplights, saying, 'This is for Celeste. We'll miss you.'"

On the Deerfield Police Facebook page, there are glowing comments about Thurlwell.

A former Kipling Elementary principal says Celeste Thurlwell kept "children safe while conveying positivity, without any expectation of personal recognition. We need more Celestes in the world."