The Murray Parents Association over the weekend surprised recently retired Murray Center Director Lori Demijan with its top award.
President Rita Winkeler says the Dr. W.P. Plassman award is the result of her dedication and devotion to the special individuals who call Murray Developmental Center home.
“Lori’s heart has always been with Murray Center. And she will continue to advocate for those individuals who live at Murray Center as well as those throughout the state. Lori cared for the individuals not just as a number, but as unique individuals. The Dr. WP Plassman Award was started to honor an individual who has made outstanding contributions towards helping to improve the lives of those with disabilities.”
Demijan worked at Murray Center for 23 years, beginning her career as an Occupational Therapist. She then worked into the management field as a residential director on several cottages, then became Residential Services Director, and was appointed the Director in December 2019. Winkeler noted Demijan became Director just three months before the most disruptive time in Murray Center’s history…the COVID pandemic. Sometimes working 18 hours a day for weeks at a time, her number one concern was for the individuals and their care. Winkeler also noted Demijan being very accessible to parents and guardians during the pandemic, giving them her personal phone number so they could contact her at any time.
Demijan was overcome by emotions as she accepted the award.
“A long-time employee at Murray Center I realize the value and importance of that award. So I am very humbled to get that award and as I have told you many times, this is a hard decision for me to make because I love the people at Murray Center so much. I love you as family. I have my beautiful family here [in attendance] and I know how I feel about them so I know how you feel about your family. So then your family became my family because we ended up spending more time working than we even do at home.”
Demijan noted after she interned at Murray, she fell in love with the residents and knew that is where she wanted to work and never regretted a day coming to work.
State Representative Charlie Meier who led the effort to save Murray Center and is now helping to lead a similar effort to implement changes at Choate Mental Health Center to keep it open was also on hand to thank Demijan.
“You’ve always been there for us. You are a wonderful Director. You know our residents by name. And if we had every center director like you we wouldn’t have problems in the state of Illinois.”
Demijan also had kind words for recently appointed Center Director Jeffrey ‘Jeff’ Wehking whom she is helping to break into the position. She says Jeff has the same compassion she and the parents have for the residents and she expects him to be a great Director.
Lori Dejiman, sitting center with her two grandchildren, with her Murray Parents family at the awards presentation on Saturday at Eagle’s Nest in Addieville. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
