BJ Boyd Honored with Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award

The Downers Grove business community paid tribute to one of its most beloved members Wednesday afternoon.

Betty Jane "B.J." Boyd, the late owner of the downtown gift shop Consider It Done, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry's annual Chamber Choice luncheon.

Boyd, 60, died in September after an eight-month battle with cancer. She was an active member of the Downers Grove business community for nearly 20 years.

"(BJ) always new how to put a smile on your face, and whenever you needed it she'd lend you some cheer and a bit of her sparkling energy," said Laura Crawford, president and CEO of the Downers Grove Chamber. "Less than a year ago, she entered into eternal life, but she will always be here in Downers Grove as she lives on in our hearts." 

Boyd opened Consider It Done, 5133 Main St., in October 2000 using the slogan, "Come with Laughs, Leave with Treasures." The store carries gift baskets, whimsical clocks, humorous and inspirational wooden signs, picture frames, outdoor decor, baby gifts and more.

Prior to opening her store, Boyd made custom gift baskets for seven years out of the basement of Dream Interiors.

Boyd was an active member of both the Downers Grove Chamber and the Downtown Downers Grove Management Corporation, serving on the marketing committee and board of directors.

In 2009, she was honored with a Chamber Choice Award for overall business excellence.

"The audience that day was not surprised at this accolade, but she sure was," Crawford said. "The people in attendance that year will recall her shriek of shock and her speech that—in typical BJ fashion—touched so many." 

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.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Boyd's husband, Ken, and her children, Nick and Annie.

"(BJ) so loved this community," Ken Boyd said. "What a tremendous honor for her and us as well. Thank you very, very much."

Annie Boyd paid tribute to the staff at Consider It Done, who have kept the shop going in BJ's absence.

"Their enthusiastic spirit, time and energy has really meant so much to us," Annie tearfully told the audience. "They've made the store such a positive environment and fun place to work, and also a very successful business. We're very grateful."

Annie also thanked the chamber members—many of whom were close friends of her mother's—for the support and companionship over the years.

"I'm very proud of my mother, and so grateful for this recognition," she said.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

There are plenty of ways to keep up on Downers Grove news:

• Sign up for our daily email newsletter

• Like us on Facebook for a slightly different take