West Peoria Residents' Association

    The West Peoria News Committee is proud to feature Maggie Moore, a long-time resident of West Peoria and one of its most "involved" citizens. Anyone who has attended a West Peoria function is definitely familiar with Maggie.  For the last ten years Maggie has been on the West Peoria Residents' Association (WPRA) Board of Directors serving as treasurer.  She is responsible for and organizes the annual WPRA Christmas Party.   The West Peoria News depends on Maggie's expertise in gathering the advertisements that fund approximately 75% of the newsletter costs.  She is also active in and/or chairman of the WPRA Beautification and Social Activities Committees.  This past summer, Maggie worked with Val Marek at the Franciscan Recreation Center to develop and present two "Concerts in The Park"; she is already working on next summer's line up. Along with these many WPRA duties, she has probably served most West Peoria residents a sno-cone at the West Peoria Jamboree.
   If Maggie's involvement and dedication to the WPRA is not enough, her real passion is the Neighborhood Watch Program. In 2000, with the help of our past community policeman, Deputy Gaa, she spearheaded the commencement of the West Peoria Neighborhood Watch.  This year marks the tenth anniversary of this organization.  Thanks to Maggie and her partnership with the Peoria County Sheriff's Department, the West Peoria Neighborhood Watch is a member of the National Association of Town Watch.  Each year, she organizes the annual West Peoria Night Out Against Crime.  Since the Neighborhood Watch is an ongoing program, it's no surprise that her goal is to have EVERY street in West Peoria in the block watch program and a block captain for each block.  Maggie has been a Lions Club member for five years, serving as First Vice President and Tail Twister.  In 2005, Maggie was honored to be the Grand Marshal for the West Peoria Fourth of July Parade (click here to see the complete list of grand marshals).  She also is a past secretary of the American Business Women's Association, was active in the Pilot Club, and volunteered at the state mental hospital in Bartonville where she helped plan activities in the women's wards.
   Maggie grew up in Carthage, Missouri and graduated from Carthage High School where she was a Lt. Colonel in the ROTC Program. She later attended Southwest Missouri Business College, Mid-State Business College and Illinois Central College.  In 1967 she moved to West Peoria with her husband Harry and daughters, Carol, Alana and Kimberly.  Maggie and Harry will soon be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.  They have eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Maggie retired from Continental Insurance Companies, where she was a personal lines underwriter.  But Maggie never stops - she later became a fragrance model for several years.  She studied for and was certified as an activity director, working eight years in Alzheimer assisted living facilities before retiring in October 2009.
   Maggie enjoys the performing arts, playing violin in her high school orchestra and trombone in the band.  She also took piano and dance lessons.  These skills and interests led her to Peoria Players where she worked backstage in properties.  From there she became involved with the Peoria Civic Opera (now Opera Illinois).  Maggie served as production manager for five years and general manager for one year.
   Maggie, who recently celebrated her 80th birthday, says she likes to be busy, likes new adventures (her latest is taijiquan), and she enjoys living where "Living is Best...to the West of Peoria"!