DeeDee Cancelose

Retired, Former Park Zone Maintenance Coordinator

Dee Dee began working for the Rockford Park District after she graduated high school as she always loved being outside.  During her career, she maintained multiple public parks and facilities such as Lockwood Park, Anna Page Park, Levings Park, Atwood Park, Blackhawk Park, and Sinnissippi Park and Greenhouse.

For many years, Dee Dee was the only female employee in the maintenance and horticulture department but she became one of the most well-respected and knowledgeable leaders. She created beauty and peace for citizens to enjoy life and was the go-to person in her field. She is also extremely creative, smart, kind, and tough.

Dee Dee paid attention to details and had very high standards for the parks she maintained. She would instill this same expectation for excellence with all the team members she managed.  Dee Dee taught her team that even something as simple as walking up to a garbage can and emptying it should be done a certain way and helps enhance a visitor’s overall enjoyment of park amenities. 

Thank you, Dee Dee, for being an unsung hero who had a tremendous impact on generations of youth, teens, families, and team members.