Silver Cross Hospital Gets Donation for Chapel from New Lenox Man

To honor the memory of his late wife, Twilla, local businessman and New Lenox resident Frank Margaron and his family donated funds to build the Silver Cross Chapel at the new Silver Cross Hospital at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. The nondenominational Chapel was dedicated to all nurses everywhere.

“Twilla was a loving caregiver to all who knew her and her faith meant a great deal to her,” said Frank Margaron, Twilla’s husband of 60 years. “The Silver Cross Chapels have been a passion for my wife and me for decades. Because of our interest, my children, Brett and Janet, and I thought it was appropriate to donate funds to support the Chapel at the new Silver Cross Hospital. We feel honoring Twilla in this way was right since she was such a faithful person and compassionate nurse.”

The Margaron children also helped design the plaque honoring their mother, Twilla, which is posted outside the Chapel’s entranceway. The plaque reads: “In loving tribute to Twilla S. Humbert Margaron to the selfless service of nurses worldwide. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16”

Twilla Margaron was born in Dwight, IL and lived in New Lenox. She was a 1950 graduate of the Silver Cross School of Nursing and worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Dwight for many years. She was an active member of the Advisory Board, which operates the Silver Cross Encore Resale Shop. For years, Twilla and Frank were active members of the New Life Church in New Lenox.

“We are so grateful to Frank and his family for their donation,” said Larry Johnson, Vice President of the Silver Cross Foundation.  “As a result of their generosity, the Margaron Family not only honored Twilla’s inspirational life, but also provided a tranquil space for our patients and their families to pray, reflect and relax during their hospital visit,” adds Johnson.

Located inside the Silver Cross Chapel is a reflection area with comfy chairs and couches for patients, families and guests to gather. Visitors can draw inspiration from the beautiful stained glass windows that illuminate an entire wall. These stained glass panels were the original glass work from the hospital’s previous campus in Joliet, and were transferred into the new Chapel once the hospital moved to New Lenox in February 2012.

“Frank and Twilla have always given unselfishly of their time and resources to the betterment of our entire community,” said Silver Cross Hospital Chaplain Kay Collins. “We are so appreciative to have a beautiful Chapel to comfort our patients and their families.”

The Silver Cross Chapel is located in the new Silver Cross Hospital. Visitors can access the Chapel from the first floor of the hospital near the front entrance lobby. The Chapel is opened 24 hours a day and seven days a week. In addition, guests can take advantage of the many amenities near the Chapel including the Café 1900 Coffee Shop, Library and Childerguild Gift Shop.

Heartfelt Community Leader

Frank Margaron has been a passionate community-minded leader for most of his life. In addition to supporting the new Silver Cross Chapel, Frank led the charge to relocate the original Silver Cross Chapel that was located on the Joliet campus. He feels it is important to give people space to reflect and pray within a hospital, especially when they or a family member are encountering stressful times in their lives.

Frank is founder and owner of Atlas Construction Services in Joliet. For 25 years, he was a member of the Silver Cross Board of Directors serving 20 of those years as Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee.  He was a member of the Silver Cross Foundation Board of Directors and volunteered his time for 12 years as a member of the Silver Cross Golf and Tennis Charity Classic Executive Committee.  He also served as Chairman of this Golf and Tennis event.

In addition, Frank has also served on the board of directors for the Joliet East Fire Department and volunteered his services on a couple of construction projects for Salem Village.  He is past president of the Joliet Evening Lions Club, Joliet Country Club, the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America, and Will County Contractors Association.  He also supported the Lewis University Nursing Scholarship program and through his church, has led construction missions in East Berlin, France and Wisconsin.