Jenny Maiden Recognized for Heroic Efforts

Instructor Jenny Maiden was teaching a water aerobics class at Carillon North, a community for active older adults in Grayslake, when one of her students went into cardiac arrest.

Maiden quickly took action. She had another class member call 911, and then administered CPR until the Grayslake Fire Department could arrive within minutes. Other class members helped as Maiden worked to revive Rita Holloman, 74.

"Jenny removed the patient from the water and performed CPR until our crews arrived on the scene," said Fire Chief Jon Christian during a recognition ceremony on Feb. 16. "Upon arrival, our personnel found the woman to be breathing on her own. Unfortunately, the patient passed away several hours later at Condell Hospital."

Holloman passed away on Jan. 20. She was an active resident of the community and belonged to various clubs including Canasta, Red Hat Mama's, Dominoes, Water Walking, Water Fitness, Coffee Club and Balance Class, according to her obituary from Marsh Funeral Home in Gurnee. Holloman is originally from Gurnee, and retired from the Gurnee Police Department after 28 years of service.

"It seems like she lived a very full life," said Maiden, adding that the water aerobics classes continue but are not the same without Holloman.

"Rita had a corner," Maiden said. "She was very short so she stayed in the shallow end. We miss her very much. It will be a long time before anyone uses that corner."

Some of the  class members who assisted Maiden when Holloman collapsed were Elaine Graff, Barb Barcus, Ruth Schuebel, Carol Engdahl and Mary Warnick, all residents of Carillon North.

"Jenny was the first to notice that something was wrong," said Elaine Graff. "She said to us, 'Rita's in trouble. We need to get her help right away.'"

Grayslake Fire Department officials recognized Maiden for doing everything she could to help.

"What Jenny did is truly amazing," said Deputy Chief Greg Formica. "The Grayslake Fire Department gets 300,000 calls a year and rarely does an individual react as quickly or have the training to resuscitate someone. In situations like this there is a 30 percent better chance of the person surviving cardiac arrest if CPR can be started immediately. For this reason we strongly encourage our residents to take the CPR courses offered through the ."

Christian and Deputy Chief Greg Formica presented an award to Maiden for her efforts in front of family, friends, co-workers and class members from Carillon North.

"Administering CPR quickly works wonders," said Formica. "Everybody can make a difference if they know how to do CPR and if they choose to do something."

Maiden of Round Lake Beach is a Certified Group Exercise Instructor and Certified Personal Trainer, and she re-certifies in CPR every two years. She works for the Lindenhurst Health and Fitness Center and has been working in the health and wellness field for over 15 years. She continues to teach four classes per week at Carillon North.

"I love working at Carillon North," said Maiden. "Those women are awesome. It's a great community to be in where they can keep active."

When not leading classes, Maiden enjoys spending time with her three children, Carter, 11, Ashlyn, 7, and Billy, 6.