The community was shocked and saddened by the sudden passing this week of a friend to the Monroe County business scene.

Nora Feuquay, 47, was found unresponsive in her Waterloo home by a relative early Monday night and pronounced deceased a short time later. Funeral arrangements are pending.

A native of Carlinville, Feuquay joined the University of Illinois Extension in 2009 as its community and economic development educator in Monroe County. Feuquay came to the U of I Extension with 20-plus years of experience in journalism, public relations and economic development.

Operating out of an office at the Monroe County Courthouse, Feuquay worked closely with economic development groups across the region and helped develop programs such as a revolving loan fund for small businesses, an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Recovery Zone program and a social networking/marketing program.

Feuquay was a key advisor to the Monroe County Economic Development Council and was instrumental in the “Think Monroe County First” shop local movement started several years ago.

“Nora thoroughly enjoyed working closely with the MCEDC, county and city government officials and local businesses to enhance business retention, growth and leadership,” county extension director Pam Jacobs said. “She had excellent connections to regional and state agencies, which kept her up-to-date on regulations and opportunities to share with local officials and businesses.  Nora was well respected by U of I Extension staff for her knowledge and willingness to go the extra mile to teach others. We will greatly miss her and her commitment to community and economic development.”

Services for Feuquay will be in her hometown of Carlinville. Visitation is Sunday, Dec. 27, from 2 to 5 p.m., at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville. Funeral services will be Monday, Dec. 28, at 10:30 a.m., at Carlinville United Methodist Church.

To view her full obituary, click here.