Mary H. Appel

Appel, Mary H. 1922 - 2012. Long-time Lake Forest resident, age 90, passed away peacefully on July 15, with her daughter Sarah by her side. Mary Jane Herzog was born in Hyde Park (Chicago), the only child of loving parents Lillie and Harry Herzog. She attended Hyde Park High School where she was salutatorian of her graduating class and where she made many life-long friends. She attended her freshman year of college at the University of Wisconsin (Madison) and continued her studies at the University of Chicago, where she obtained her B.A. and M.A. degrees in Child Psychology. Her thesis was done at the Institute for Juvenile Research, on the campus of the University of Illinois, Chicago. In her career, she worked at the Juvenile Court, Head Start, Read Zone Center, North Shore Special Education and Lake Forest Country Day School, as a licensed School Psychologist. She adored children and helped many children with learning problems and their families. She is survived by her beloved husband of more than 66 years, Arthur, and her two cherished daughters Sarah Appel and Juliet (Alan) Duncanson. Mary was an avid reader and active in the Friends of the Lake Forest Library, participating in their annual Book Sale. She was a valued participant in the Deerfield Library Book discussion group for many years. She imbued a love of reading in her daughters and other children she befriended, often giving then books carefully chosen for their interests and reading abilities at any given age. Mary was involved in many community projects including: the Lake Forest Art Fair, the Mother's Trust, the Horace Mann Public School (Chicago) PTA and the South Shore Open House Committee working to preserve South Shore as an integrated neighborhood. Mary enjoyed sailing with her husband Art, and her daughters and friends for six decades. She made many lasting friends through sailing at Burnham Park and Waukegan Yacht Clubs. She often walked with her husband along the Lake Michigan shoreline, both in Chicago and Lake Forest. Mary was very interested in people (both children and adults), was a good listener, lively conversationalist and gracious hostess. She maintained life-long friendships with many hundreds of people, keeping in touch with hand written holiday greetings. Mary loved plants: growing flowers, herbs and vegetables and propagating cuttings of her exotic houseplants for many friends. She is remembered by all who knew her, for her kindness, compassion and her beautiful smile. Funeral Services were held on July 17 at Congregation B'nai Torah in Highland Park. Memorials may be made to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, 4100 West Ann Lurie Pl., Chicago, IL 60032 or www.chicagosfoodbank.org.