Anne Hunt

PLEASE NOTE: THE MEMORIAL MASS AT
ST. BENEDICT'S PARISH HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED.
IT IS NOW SCHEDULED FOR
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8th @ 2:00PM

Anne Elise Gieser Hunt, born on September 24, 1936, in New Orleans, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at her home in The Admiral at the Lake, Chicago, Illinois, on December 15, 2024. Anne lived a life defined by creativity, purpose, and an enduring sense of adventure.

For Anne's 50th birthday, her business partner and close friend Mary Abbott Hess commissioned a quilt that beautifully captured the essence of Anne's life. For nearly four decades, this quilt hung prominently in her living space, serving as a vibrant tapestry of her passions and accomplishments.

At the heart of the quilt is an image of two backpackers-a nod to Anne's adventurous spirit. She and her husband Bruce explored the deserts of California and the mountains of Colorado. In 1959, they embarked on a European journey by bike and camped under the stars in an olive grove overlooking Florence's Arno River. Their travels later included their three young daughters, who delighted in road trips across the country in a VW bus outfitted for play and sleep.

Anne's love of home was equally profound. The houses depicted on the quilt symbolize not only places of residence but also centers of creativity and family connection. In 1987, she fulfilled her dream of designing and constructing a home on Lake Leo in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois. This cherished retreat became a hub for family gatherings where grandchildren swam, fished, and participated in "family camp."

Gardens were another source of joy for Anne. Her eye for design and hands-on dedication transformed empty lots into lush sanctuaries. She cultivated award-winning gardens at St. Benedict Parish in Chicago and created thriving green spaces wherever she lived.

Anne's faith journey was deeply meaningful to her. Raised in Lake Forest, Illinois, she attended The College of Wooster in Ohio, where she met Bruce. Together they studied at the Divinity School of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh before settling in Chicago. Anne became an active member of Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, serving on its Board of Trustees and contributing to its newsletter by introducing new members to the congregation. She also participated in annual women's retreats and meticulously maintained scrapbooks documenting these events.

Later in life, Anne found solace in the Roman Catholic tradition and joined St. Benedict Parish in 2003 after completing the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). Her faith remained a cornerstone of her life.

A figure diving into water on Anne's quilt commemorates her achievement of swimming 100 miles at her local YMCA-a testament to her strength, stamina, and discipline.

Two other symbols on the quilt reflect Anne's culinary passions: a bean pot and Dedham pottery dinner plates. In 1969, she co-founded The Melting Pot cooking school with Zelda Gordon, pioneering ethnic cuisine education long before it became mainstream. Food was central to Anne's understanding of community; she created memorable meals for family celebrations, welcomed guests with nourishing dishes, and baked elaborate cakes shaped like churches or piano keyboards.

Anne was also a prolific writer. She co-authored *Pickles and Ice Cream*, a nutritional guide for pregnancy; *Healthy Head Start*, focused on feeding young children; and numerous cookbooks for churches and organizations such as Ghost Ranch in New Mexico-her spiritual home-and *Roots*, celebrating root vegetables. As a self-described "food writer," Anne had a gift for translating complex research into accessible language that inspired others.

In 2016, Anne was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. True to her character, she faced this challenge with courage and grace. She became an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Association, participating in support groups and speaking to community organizations to offer hope and encouragement to others navigating similar journeys.

In 2022, Anne and Bruce moved to The Admiral at the Lake, a continuous care community in Chicago. Though her time in independent living was brief, she received compassionate care from the memory care unit staff at The Harbors during her final years.

Anne leaves behind an extraordinary legacy: 57 meticulously crafted scrapbooks chronicling her life journey and daily journals dating back to 1984. These records will allow future generations to connect with the remarkable woman known to her grandchildren as "Nan."

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Benedict Parish 2215 West Irving Park Road, Chicago at 2:00PM on February 8th. A celebration of Anne's life will take place at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, 600 West Fullerton Pkwy, Chicago on Saturday, February 1, at 10:30 a.m.

Anne is survived by her husband, Bruce Hunt, daughters Lisa (John) Gschwind, Jennifer (Jeff-RIP) Heusser and Mary (Hank) Prekop.

She was a loving grandmother to Elliott (Sarah) Gschwind, Erin (Steven) Romo, Dylan (Annie Taylor) Gschwind, Zoe Prekop and Solis (Eli) Scriver, and beloved by great grandchildren Florence + Freddie Gschwind and Lucy + Charlie Romo.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to
Ghost Ranch https://www.ghostranch.org/donate/
Or
Chicago Botanic Garden https://www.chicagobotanic.org/donate/

Anne Elise Gieser Hunt will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, creative pursuits, deep faith, and unwavering love for family and community. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her.