Above / Marge Wehrli Walsh, center, is pictured here during her 94th birthday celebration with family and friends at the Lantern. Wish her well this Thursday! (PN File Photo, 2015)
The Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners will honor Marge Wehrli Walsh with a resolution and special presentation at the May 12, 2016, meeting, which takes place at 5:30PM in the City Council Chambers at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.
On the occasion of Marge’s 95th birthday and the 85th anniversary of Centennial Beach, the Naperville Park District will recognize Marge as Centennial Beach’s first female lifeguard, serving from 1942-1945.
Marge Wehrli Walsh was 21 years old when she stepped into a role that was formerly reserved for young men. As a Centennial Beach lifeguard during the height of World War II, Marge took on the physical challenges of deep water training, conditioning and endurance required for the important and respected role of lifeguard.
As an example of Naperville’s own “Rosie the Riveter,” Marge led the way for women to flourish in hundreds of other roles in their future careers and in the community.
The Naperville Park District is proud to honor Marge Wehrli Walsh for her special place in the history of Centennial Beach and in Naperville.
Centennial Beach will open for the 2016 season Memorial Day weekend. For generations, Centennial Beach, aka “The Beach,” has been an attractive place to meet friends and rekindle memories of an old swimming hole that took over two former quarries, commemorating Naperville’s first 100 years.
In 2016, Centennial Beach will celebrate its 85th anniversary. Centennial Beach is located 500 Jackson Avenue along the DuPage River.
