Anna Constance Hamilton Wachs

Constance Hamilton Wachs Anna Constance Hamilton Wachs died at home in Long Grove, Ill., Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, in her 101st year. Connie was born in Kokomo, Ind. on Oct. 30, 1908, the fourth daughter of Clara Hamilton, an artist and Nathaniel Crew Hamilton, a physician. She graduated from Northwestern University in 1930, worked as a social worker at the Jane Addams Hull House Association in Chicago, and later for the Red Cross of America. She was married to the late Edward Herman Wachs for 67 years. Their three surviving children are Marcia Wachs Dam (Kenneth W. Dam), Edward Hamilton Wachs (Sherry Griffitts) and Charles Ludwig Wachs (Ela Schulte). Her children, five grandchildren and two of her four great-grandchildren were with her when she died. Connie was a woman of great energy, spirit and intelligence, with a zest for life that attracted lifelong friends of all ages. She traveled extensively - trekking in Nepal with her daughter and granddaughter when she was 76 and annually enjoyed the ski jumping event in Iron Mountain, Mich. She celebrated her 100th birthday last October with a bonfire in the field next to her home and a party at the Long Grove Tavern. Connie and Ed lived and participated in the life and development of Long Grove for over 65 years. They watched the village grow from a small, German farming community with one general store and a blacksmith shop at the crossroads to the community it is today. There will be a service to remember Connie and celebrate her life at the Long Grove Community Church on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. Memorial gifts may be made to the charity of your choice.