Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, director of the Illinois State Museum in Springfield, died Saturday less than a month after her appointment to the Route 66 Centennial Commission.
Her death was reported by the Springfield State Journal-Register after the Illinois Association of Museums announced it Sunday. She was 50.
No cause of death was reported by either the newspaper or the association.
However, an NPR affiliate’s report had more details:
She died over the weekend following a lengthy battle with cancer, according to her husband Larry Legutko’s social media post. It was a battle “she valiantly fought with good humor, a dogged determination and an optimism that was felt by me, my son, friends and colleagues and her care team. She touched oh so many lives,” he wrote.
Catlin-Legutko had been the Illinois State Museum’s director since 2019.
President Joe Biden appointed Catlin-Legutko to the Route 66 Centennial Commission in late December. Route 66’s centennial begins in 2026.
The previous president, Donald Trump, signed the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act into law a little more than two years ago.
The commission will study and recommend in a report to Congress activities that would be “fitting and proper” to celebrate the anniversary “in a manner that appropriately honors the Mother Road of the United States,” according to the bill.
Centennial activities include:
- The issuance of commemorative coins, medals, certificates of recognition and postage stamps;
- Ceremonies and celebrations commemorating specific events;
- The production, publication, and distribution of books, pamphlets, films, electronic publications and other educational materials.
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R.I.P., Catlin. Our prayers are with the family.