Debbie Caputo Named Bolingbrook Patch Person of the Year

With eight nominations, Debbie Caputo is our Bolingbrook Patch 2012 Person of the Year. 

In the words of our readers, Caputo is an “absolute inspiration.” “The most selfless person I’ve ever met.” “A fighter.” “A ball of laughs.” “The heart of her family.” 

Caputo, 44, is a 20-year resident of Bolingbrook. Her two daughters, Marissa and Alyssa, attend Bolingbrook High School. For seven years, she was a fitness instructor and personal trainer at the Bolingbrook Park District. 

Seventeen months ago, Caputo was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is now in hospice care as she nears the end of that battle.

As word spread of Caputo's health, hundreds of people visited her at home this week. Debbie's husband, Anthony, said 300 people had stopped by in just two days. The outpouring of visitors was a testament to Debbie, he said, who spends her life going out of her way to do good for others.

"She is always the first person to extend her hand to help someone," Caputo said. "She has a true love for children and all people." 

“She’s so giving,” said her daughter, Alyssa. “She never asks for anything in return. She’s so loving. She will open her arms and home to anyone.” 

Putting her own needs aside to focus on others is Debbie's trademark. 

A few weeks ago, a friend called Debbie wanting to hold a fundraiser to help her pay medical costs. She said she appreciated the gesture, but that he or she should donate the money to the victims of Superstorm Sandy instead.

“She said that they were in a worse condition than she was,” he said.

Debbie's friends said she was a "fighter" who faced a rare form of breast cancer with a determination to survive. 

“She’s the strongest woman I’ve ever met,” said friend Tina Fini. “Through this whole ordeal, I’ve never seen her shed a tear.

She’s always worried about other people. She will call you from the hospital to see how you are doing. She’s an amazing woman.” 

Margie Carcerano said she that after driving Caputo home following a chemotherapy treatment, Caputo started making soup for another woman with cancer. 

"I am truly proud to call Debbie Caputo my friend," Carcerano said.

As a fitness instructor and personal trainer, Debbie Caputo took a singular interest in every person she taught, Anthony Caputo said. Her goal was to not only help people train but to give them a better quality of life, he said. That included helping several clients with poor health change their lifestyles.

“If she had helped one person, she had accomplished something that day,” Anthony Caputo said.

Barb Carens came to Caputo after being diagnosed with high cholesterol. After Debbie helped her improve her diet and her exercise regime, Barb’s cholesterol was reduced without medication.

Since Debbie loves to cook, one day Barb bought an eggplant to make eggplant parmesan. She called Debbie, who gave her the recipe while receiving chemotherapy. 

John Chase, fitness sales manager for the Bolingbrook Park District, said one of his greatest joys of his job was the “opportunity to work with her.”

“I learned a lot from her. The things we did (at the park district) we would not have been able to accomplish had it not been for the things she brought to our program.” 

As one reader said in her nomination: 

"(Debbie) is a wonderful, kind, compassionate woman who has faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and she deserves recognition more than anyone else I can think of."

Let's give Debbie some love. Congratulate her in the comments.