The library had its flag at half-mast and was closed for grief counseling for the employees.
"She was just fantastic. She loved what she did at the library. She interacted regularly with the youth in the community as well as adults, was a big part of the organization, we're going to miss her very much," said Kimberly Litland, Brookfield library director.
Fay taught in the Chicago Public Schools for 30 years. She retired three years ago.
Police found Fay's body in her home during a well-being check Monday around 1:30 p.m. Police would not say why they were called.
"We just developed some information that we wanted to check on the well being of Mrs. Fay. That led our officers to go to her address in Brookfield to check on her," said Deputy Chief Jeff Leh, Brookfield police.
The pair being questioned was taken into custody at a Chicago motel near Archer and Harlem avenues. The male suspect reportedly knew Fay. And Fay's vehicle was also found near the hotel.
It had been a strenuous night and morning for Brookfield police unaccustomed to investigating murders.
Fay lived alone, and had last been seen by her next door neighbors at 7 p.m. Sunday when she asked her next door neighbor for a tool that would help the male suspect change her car's oil.
"He was doing jobs, I mean cleaning up, pulling weeds and cutting the grass and stuff like that," said Hank Gosker, neighbor. "I know he came in and went out on the bicycle constantly and his girlfriend, she was doing jobs and I don't know if she was cleaning the house for her or what."
When police arrived the next day, she was found with several stab wounds, but she was still alive and taken to the hospital where she died hours later.
Almost at the same time, two suspects were arrested in Chicago at the Rainbow and Pink Palace Motel. The suspects have not been identified; police would only say they are a 30-year-old Brookfield man and a 23-year-old woman from Arlington Heights. The male suspect has a felony criminal record, according to authorities.
"The victim's vehicle was spotted in the 5300-block of South Nottingham by P.D. And the two suspects that we have were in a motel nearby where the vehicle was located," said Leh.
"She was just a sweet old lady, you know? She would give you the shirt off her back, and very friendly, talked to everybody," said neighbor Gosker. "I don't see why anybody could harm her."
Early reports indicate the man had done odd jobs around Fay's home occasionally. Charges were pending. Police say the male suspect has a criminal record but would not go into detail.
No charges have been filed yet.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
