Downers Grove Council Pays Tribute to BJ Boyd, Owner of Consider It Done

The Downers Grove village council paid tribute Monday night to one of the town's most beloved business owners, Betty Jane "B.J." Boyd, who died Sunday after a seven-month battle with cancer. 

Boyd, 60, owned and operated the whimsical downtown Downers Grove gift shop Consider It Done, 5133 Main St., for nearly 12 years. Prior to opening her store, she spent seven years making custom gift baskets out of the basement of Dream Interiors.

For the past 12 years, Boyd has been an active member of both the Downtown Downers Grove Management Corporation and the Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In 2009, she was honored with a Chamber Choice Award for overall business excellence.

READ: Downers Grove Mourns Loss of Longtime Business Owner BJ Boyd

Village Commissioner Geoff Neustadt paid tribute to Boyd's many contributions to the Downers Grove community during the council's business meeting Monday.

"(B.J.'s) store was the type of place where neighbors met and friendships were formed," Neustadt said. "B.J. always greeted her customers with a huge smile, and had spirit of community that took her beyond her shop, which was loved by so many ... I and so many of my colleagues are fortunate enough to have worked with B.J. on the Downtown Management Corporation's board of directors, and I am certain that the board is better because of her time there ... She gave 110 percent to everything she worked on and the outcomes were hugely impressive."

Mayor Martin Tully echoed Neustadt's sentiments.

"B.J.'s store was a fixture in our downtown," Tully said. "Her inviting personality and kind spirit were enjoyed by all. She was a leader in our business community, and was a tireless supporter of nonprofits. She left us way too soon, but will be sorely missed and remembered by all for a very long time. She accomplished a rare thing, which was leaving the world behind her a little bit better than when she found it."

READ: Patch Readers Share Memories of Downers Grove Business Owner BJ Boyd

Boyd grew up in Chicago and attended Aquinas High School before earning her bachelor's degree from Mundelein College. She dedicated much of her life to service, particularly through Parent and Child Educational Services (PACES) and a volunteer program she started in high school for youth to serve the elderly.

She is survived by her husband, Ken, son, Nick, and daughter, Annie.

Visitation will be held at Toon Funeral Home, route: {:controller=>"listings", :action=>"show", :id=>"toon-funeral-homes"} -->, 4920 Main St. in Downers Grove, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday. A funeral will be held at