Alice Pirie Wirtz

1931 - 2018

Alice Pirie Wirtz obituary, 1931-2018, Winnetka, IL

BORN

1931

DIED

2018

FUNERAL HOME

Donnellan Family Funeral Services

10045 Skokie Boulevard

Skokie, Illinois

Alice Wirtz Obituary

Alice Pirie Wirtz, 87, known to her close friends as "Ittie",died peacefully at her home in Winnetka on December 8, 2018 following a courageous battle with lung cancer. She was surrounded by her children, and with her dear dog Molly by her side. Born on March 24, 1931, to Alice Quarles Pirie and John Thomas Pirie II of Winnetka, Mrs. Wirtz graduated from the North Shore Country Day School in 1949 and Finch College in 1953. She was the widow of the late William W. Wirtz, former President of the Chicago Blackhawks and Wirtz Corporation. Her first husband was the late Homer Hargrave, Jr. Mrs. Wirtz is survived by her three children, Charles Pirie Hargrave (Kathy Laughlin) of Wilmette, William Arthur Hargrave (Christina Louise Cox) of Chicago and Alice Quarles Hargrave of Chicago, widow of Jean-Brice Wallon; her eight grandchildren, Sara, Charles, Katie, Jennifer, Ezra, Gabriel, Joseph and Deshler; her great-grandchild Malcolm; and her brother William Quarles Pirie of Minocqua, Wisconsin. Alice will be remembered most of all for her two passions ... her artistic creations and her sense of civic responsibility. In 1972, she became conservator of The Thorne Rooms at The Art Institute of Chicago, a position she held for 14 years. Her lifelong love of miniatures was certainly enriched by her mother-in-law, silent film actress Colleen Moore Hargrave (dear friend of Narcissa Thorne) who created The Colleen Moore Fairy Castle. Alice created exquisite shell-enrobed mirrors, each unique and reminiscent of 18th and 19th century decorative arts which she also collected along with English antiques. Many of these exotic shells were collected by Alice from remote islands in the Bahamas while on trips with her husband, Bill, aboard the Blackhawk. Alice's involvement in the community was manifested in her civic work. She served as President of The Junior League of Chicago, President of the Women's Board of the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital (formerly Children's Memorial Hospital), and volunteer for The Crusade of Mercy. Always a proud alumna of North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, she volunteered as Archivist of the school's history, which included reconnecting alumni from across the country. Most recently, Alice dedicated herself to the John T. Pirie School in Chicago, a well-respected school within The Chicago Public School System, named for her great grandfather, John T. Pirie, founder of Carson Pirie Scott & Company. The department store (founded in 1854) survived the Chicago Fire and resided for over a century in its landmark store designed by Louis Sullivan. Most important to Alice's many friends, family and the neighbors who love her was her extreme kindness and thoughtfulness. She shared her award-winning roses with anyone in need of a special pick-me-up and gifted countless homegrown raspberries and jam. Her hand-written notes of thanks, sympathy or congratulations were all infused with love. Visitation, Thursday, December 20, 2018 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Boulevard at Old Orchard Road Skokie, Illinois 60077. A Celebration of her Life will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Church 784 Sheridan Road, Winnetka, IL 60093.In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Rush University Medical Center's Lung Cancer Research Fund, c/o Kevin R. Gray, 1201 W. Harrison St., Suite 300 Chicago, IL 60607 or The John T. Pirie Fine Arts and Academic Center 650 East 85th Street, Chicago, IL 60619. Info www.donnellanfuneral.com or (847) 675-1990.

Published by Chicago Tribune from Dec. 13, 2018 to Jan. 13, 2019.
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Memories and Condolences
for Alice Wirtz

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Our family sends sincere condolences and prayers.

Anneliese Eisenberg

March 5, 2019

My sincere condolences to your family for the loss of your love one.may the God of peace be with you during this sad occasion and may his loving words at John 6:40 console your heart.

D. H.

January 7, 2019

My condolences to your family. May your memories bring you comfort and may the peace of God be with you during this time of sorrow. (Philippians 4:7)

January 2, 2019

Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your dear mother. May your fond memories and the peace that God gives comfort and strengthen you during this difficult time. Phillipians 4:6,7,13

TB

December 29, 2018

Sorry for your loss

C Hopkins

December 29, 2018

My condolences are extended as you mourn the loss of your dear loved one. May you find comfort and strength to cope during this trying time. Psalm 90:10

December 29, 2018

My condolences to the family for your loss

December 28, 2018

To the family of Alice Wirtz, sorry for your loss. May the promise of Isaiah 35:5,6 give you comfort and hope in the days to come.

December 24, 2018

Dear family and friends of Ms. Wirtz, I'm genuinely sorry for the loss of your loved one . May Revations 21:3,4 give you the hope you need for the future

L J

December 22, 2018

So very sorry for your loss. May the loving memories left by your loved one help you to cope with this loss.

December 17, 2018

Dear Family,
I am so sorry to learn that Ittie passed. Anything I can say or do at a time like this will be of little comfort. You have my deepest and sincerest Sympathy .
With Love,
Liz Stiffel

Liz Stiffel

December 16, 2018

Please accept my sincerest condolences for your loss. I hope that words such those found at John 6:40 bring you comfort at this difficult time.

December 15, 2018

My sincere condolences to your family for the loss of your love one. May the God of comfort be with you during this sad occasion and may his loving words at John 6:40 console your heart.

Z L

December 13, 2018

A dear friend for 72 years. I will miss her.

John Roberts

Classmate

December 12, 2018

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Memorial Events
for Alice Wirtz

Dec

20

Visitation

3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Donnellan Family Funeral Services

10045 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL 60077

Jan

16

Celebration of Life

10:30 a.m.

Christ Church

784 Sheridan Road, Winnetka, IL

Funeral services provided by:

Donnellan Family Funeral Services

10045 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL 60077

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