Children’s Home & Aid lost an extremely valuable member of our team on Sunday, May 30, Megan Berger-Trilk.
Megan passed away surrounded by family. She has been an essential member of the Children’s Home & Aid family for the last two years. Megan was dedicated and passionate about her work in the licensing department in the Northern region and will be greatly missed. Her husband recently told us how much she enjoyed working at Children’s Home & Aid and caring for those in need. Megan was also a cheer coach at Boylan High School and a very proud mom of four children. Our hearts go out to her and her family as they navigate this difficult time.
Megan was born on May 15 in Sioux City, Iowa. She lived all her childhood years in Sioux City where she participated in many church activities and was active as a cheerleader and gymnast.
After two years at Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Megan transferred to the University of Iowa. While in Iowa City, Megan met her future husband of 30 years, Michael Trilk.
Megan and Mike lived the first few years of their marriage in Chicago, Illinois. While in Chicago, Megan began her history of fighting for those in need, working at Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities (TASC) supporting youth with drug addictions and criminal histories.
“I always witnessed Megan coming to work with a smile. She was eager to learn and to contribute in any way she could. Megan was so passionate about helping the families she worked with.” – Licensing Coordinator Michelle Leonard
After a few years in Chicago, Megan and Mike moved to Davenport, Iowa where they had their first two children, Nicholas and Abigail. While in Davenport, Megan continued to help children and youth as part of the team at the Wittenmeyer Youth Center.
In the following years, Megan and her family moved to Rockford, Illinois. While in Rockford, they had two more children, Timothy and Elizabeth. Megan spent years working with disadvantaged youth at The Mill Foundation before taking time to devote full attention to her four children. Megan’s children were the light of her life. Always with her camera at her side, Megan chronicled all the important moments of the kid‘s’ lives. She was a wonderful photographer and took some award-winning shots as well as having several photos published in various magazines.
Once the kids were nearly grown, Megan became involved with coaching cheerleading. Megan helped coach the very first Boylan High School Cheer Team that qualified for the state tournament. Around this time in 2019, she began her work at Children’s Home & Aid helping foster children and families.
Megan’s family would like to thank all of those who have provided support over the past several weeks. Her family says Megan would have been humbled by all the love.
Memorials may be made to Boylan Catholic High School, 4000 St. Francis Drive, Rockford, IL 61103. Express condolences and share memories at fitzgeraldfh.com
Children’s Home & Aid Staff Memories of Megan –
“From the moment she arrived to our team Megan was eager to learn and collaborate with our team, and was a very hard worker. She did this with exceptional ease and always with a smile. Megan loved her family so much and talked about them daily. She also talked so often about her Boylan Cheer group as she coached them for years and was so proud of them. She adored those girls and that was a huge part of her heart and that shined brightly to all of us as she talked about their accomplishments and achievements. Lastly, you knew just how much Megan loved life and those around her which was especially evident when she talked about her husband. Her eyes lit up and her smile was infectious and she glowed when his name came up. Megan loved those she worked with too and the families she was fortunate to come into contact with. She touched our team in ways that cannot be described and she will always be with us in our hearts.” – Sally Gonzalez, Licensing Specialist
“Megan came into this position with a smile and eagerness to help. She was hired as a part time worker, but soon offered to increase her hours to help with the demand our team was facing. She valued everyone and she smiled at everyone. I had the unique experience of knowing Megan outside of the Children’s Home & Aid organization. If you have ever held even one conversation with Megan, what came shining through was her love for her children. She spoke about them with such pride and devotion. She had such a giving and kind spirit, and Megan was an exceptional soccer mom. Their high school soccer team went to the State Championship game. Megan created individual pictures for all the players, as well as their championship game poster. Again, her pride for not only her child, but the whole team was evident. Her involvement as a helper and a giver was always present in her daily life. Megan was an inspiration to us all to remain upbeat, see the good in everyone. I can say with certainty, she will be missed in more ways than words can express. Megan shared her kindness not only with our agency, but with our community. Megan’s attitude towards life is one I strive to model. She will be deeply missed by so many. ” – Kristin Tryggestad, Licensing Specialist