Forget everything your mind might conjure up about the word "coroner." Beth Kimmerling, the coroner of McLean County, is the best example I have of passion leading to greatness. I offered to write an article for her in support of her recent re-election, but she didn't need it, her 61,000 votes were the most of any elected official.
A coroner? Yep.
Even a regular blogger like me has a hard time putting it into words adequately.
Her father was a funeral director, and she loved to ask about how such-and-such person died, and why. Though she got a degree in business - the popular, default choice - she started over from scratch and got her nursing degree.
Coroners determine the cause and manner of death (1,200 in the county per year), coordinate autopsies and special "inquests" where a jury weighs on the manner of death based on the forensic evidence. They prod and explore dead bodies, sometimes bloodied, dismembered, burned, outside in freezing temps, or infant. They deliver heartbreaking news to loved ones of the deceased. The office is on call at all hours of the day, naturally. They get paid much less than I do.
She insists on breaking bad news personally. She loves to talk about her job and does it in plain English, defining several basic terms. She teaches with case studies, she finds humane ways of saying things like "it's not compatible with life." She exercises daily, to cleanse her mind and stay focused. She hates asking people for money. She senses when her staff is a little burned out and gives them a day off to recuperate.
61,000 votes seems low!
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