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Ari Chester Obituary
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Jim and Cammy Spatzek
May 2, 2025
I am so sorry for her father Steve´s loss. He adored Ari and her mother would not even allow him to go to the funeral. He loves those children and talks about the wonderful time he had with them, reading bedtime stories and going to their school events. He was a superb father. Jim and Cammy Spatzek
September 12, 2009
My condolences
January 8, 2007
I can't find the words to describe what a feeling it is to remember Ari every day. It's been a long time that she's been watching us now, and each day I think of how much more significant she is to me, her friends, her family, and our whole community. Not having been close to Ari since elementary school, it's difficult understanding how she provides such great inspiration as well as heartache for me. Thanks for everything you brought us, Ari. I know we'll never forget you. Love you.
CC
December 31, 2006
As we gear up for another season it's calming to know Ari will be there forever with us in the outfield encouraging and helping us just like she has always done. We will miss her.
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Katie
September 27, 2006
Dear Chester family,
I do not recall ever meeting Ari, however I was still overcome when we learned about her unstable condition in the hospital and eventual tragic passing. Shortly after this, my mom told me that even though Ari and I had never met, we had gone to grade school together. The idea that I could have been in the presence of such a wonderful girl and never known it filled me with sorrow. No one ever truly knows how much affect they have on the world until they are no longer physically in it. But Ari clearly lives on in the hearts and minds of hundereds of people in our community. I know there is nothing that can ease the pain of such a tragic, cruel, and untimely loss, but I hope you can recognize that the hundereds of people Ari affected will bring her spirit into their everyday, and eventually her heart and enthusiasm will spread to thousands,and someday maybe more. Even though you have lost one daughter, sister, cousin, niece, and grand daughter, please remember her soul has been split into millions of pieces only to be deposited into the hearts of people everywhere. Eventually, she will have touched more people in eighteen years than many people do in a lifetime. Ari has never, and will never truly leave us.
Sarah
July 24, 2006
Ari,
Not a single day goes by that I don't think about you. You were a beautiful, amazing person and are deeply missed. You had so much to offer, and the fact that your life was so tragically cut short upsets and frustrates me to no end. Thank you for lighting up all my mornings in advisory and keeping the energy going with your spirit. I love and miss you, keep smiling.
June 24, 2006
it is now july. weeks have passed. each day, she is remembered. and each day after today, she will be remembered. ari had something really special about her, she was diffrent. Ari is what can save this world. if we all just try a little harder each day, and do ONE thing like she would have done. Smile a little harder, help someone, say thank you and i love you to whom deserves to hear it, laugh.... this world would be a better place. I miss her so much.
June 23, 2006
Ari,
Everyday I think about you. I miss you so much. I have been so sad lately...I'm trying so hard to use your spirit, joy, and enthusiasm to propel myself back to happiness. You truly were a light in my life and you honestly always will be. I love and miss you dearly.
B
June 21, 2006
To the entire Chester family, I did not personally know Ari, I did however know Christine, and I want you to know that I have been praying for her the day that the accident happened. You have mine, as well as my family's condolences.
June 4, 2006
we will always remember you
May 14, 2006
Ari,
There is something about you I will never forget. Is it your smile? Your humor? Your talent? Your love of service and the wellness of others? It must be all of them. You have touched my life in a way that I can not express in words alone. You have inspired me to reach my goals and live life to the fullest. Ever since we became friends (12+ years ago!), you have become a part of my life and I have taken for granted the days we played sports together, our sleepovers, and even our service meetings. I miss you dearly and a day doesn't go by when I don't pray for you and your family. You've been such a wonderful inspiration to me. I miss you. xoxo
Libby
May 14, 2006
I personally did not know Ari but I am so sorry for your loss. I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
May 5, 2006
Thank you, Ari, for everything you have given our school and the world.
With Love, K.
April 27, 2006
To the Chester Family-
I am so sorry for your loss. I am sure no words will ever prove sufficient enough to ease the pain that is being felt. As a student from New Trier, I can tell that Ari served as an inspiration to many, and a friend to hundreds. I pray that the lord will watch over her and your family.
Anonymous
April 25, 2006
although we never met, all I want to say is rest in peace. To the Chester family, may you too find peace.
April 11, 2006
i was lucky to spend about the last 6 months of aris life with her when she started hanging out with my group of friends and i cant say enough how much we all miss her. she was the most wonderful, kind person i have ever met and she will always and forever be in our hearts and prayers.
-miss you ari, love you-
-how lucky i was to have had a friend that was so hard to say goodbye to-
#7 on the field
#1 in our hearts
anonymous
April 10, 2006
ARI'S BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT AND JOY WILL LIVE ON FOREVER. MY SHORT BUT WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES WITH HER WILL LIVE ON IN MY HEART FOREVER AND SHE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I LOVE YOU ARI, AND ALWAYS WILL.
Gaurav Garg
April 8, 2006
R.I.P. Ari
Stacie Trice
March 30, 2006
Tracy - my deepest condolences go out to you and your family. I remember Ari from the time you bought your kids into the office (Zurich Scudder Investments) - my prayers and support are with you - the Lord will sustain you during this time.
Stephen W. Littell
March 29, 2006
Dear K-K, Chris, Tracy, and family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy for your tragic loss. I was lucky to have Ari in class. She was competitive but fun and generous, too. She had a huge heart. Your funeral ceremony and stories were beautiful, perfect. You are brave folk; her spirit clearly lives on.
kiryl shada
March 26, 2006
I'm sorry about your loss. I remember Ari when we played together on the Trevians summer team a few years back. She was a spirited teamate always wanting the best for everyone. She was truly a wonderful person.
With love,
Kiryl Shada
Josh Youngerman
March 26, 2006
Dear Chester Family-
I just wanted to let you know that I am very sorry about your loss. I knew Ari a little bit because her adviser was my history teacher last year and my class was first period. Ari was always nice to us. She was also in one of my classes for a brief period of time. Again my condolences go out to you annd the rest of your family. My prayers are with you guys.
Hillary Shulman
March 25, 2006
The service for Ari was beautiful, and was truly a testament to the wonderful person Ari was. I am going to miss her deeply as a friend and as a player. She inspired me so much as a coach, and always pushed me to be better. She was also the heart of the team, and kept everyone motivated during times where no one else could. She was a really special person. I'm so sorry.
Kaitlyn Johnson
March 24, 2006
Chester Family-
I was fortunate enough to compete against both Ari and KK for numerous years. Promo has told me so many wonderful things about your whole family, and what happened is such a tragedy. I am very sorry for your loss. Ari's spirit will live on forever. You and your family are in my prayers.
Debby Gledhill
March 24, 2006
Dear Tracy,
Though several years have passed since I shared fine books and friendship with you in our neighborhood book club, I clearly remember your immense joy when Ari and Caitlin were born. Ari's sudden death is shockingly cruel...I ache for your loss, and am holding you close in my thoughts and prayers.
With love, Debby and Tom Gledhill
Kimberly Kosiek
March 24, 2006
Dear Chester Family,
I read the article in the paper and felt I had to write. I do not know you or your family, but I also lost my 18 year old daughter last December. Krista was also a softball player and had wonderful plans for her future that were cut short. My heart goes out to you and your family for your untimely loss. This is out of order and shouldn't have happened. I am so deeply sorry.
Jessica Christopoulos
March 24, 2006
Chester Family,
I did not know Ari personally, but Christine Christopoulos is a very close cousin/friend, and just from hearing Christine's stories I know that she was truly a beautiful person who put so much love and happiness into Christine's heart. She will forever be in the hearts of the Christopoulos family.
Jessica Christopoulos
Ghita Lapidus
March 24, 2006
Dearest Tracy, K K and Chris,
Ari's memory will live on forever in all of us who knew and loved her. Ari was one of Laura's first and closest friends. The girls had a deep and special bond that like all others, was so abruptly short-circuited. You are a truly remarkable family that does everything with such love, strength and dignity. There are no words for the devastating sorrow we all feel for your loss and for everyone in your family and all of us who were so deeply touched by Ari's special magic. Ari will be treasured always in our hearts and in our minds.
Allan, Ghita, David and Laura
Weaver family
March 23, 2006
Tracy and family: Kelsey and the girls played on the same Trevian soccer team a while ago. I just wanted to let you know that Ari made Kelsey feel so welcome and accepted. She made the team so much fun, always joking around and loosening up the girls. We are so sorry for this terrific loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Daniel Schwartz
March 23, 2006
Dear Tracy, Chris, and Caitlyn,
I am so very sorry for your loss. The world will miss Ari. Her smile and compassion brightened the lives of many.
Brenda Vlier
March 23, 2006
Tracy and Family
I received the news tonight and my heart is heavy with sadness. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Tracy...I am so sorry for your loss and hope we can spend some quality time together in the near future.
Brandy Miller
March 23, 2006
Though I don't know any of you personally, I feel I do through my sister Stacee and her family. My thoughts are with all of you during this difficult time. I am deeply sorry for your loss.
George & Agnes Martin
March 23, 2006
To the family of Ari Chester,
Our deepest sympathies to you for your tragic loss. We do not know you, but our son, Eric Martin, and Ari had some friends in common. When tragedy occurs to anybody in the "extended New Trier family," all of us are affected at least a little bit.
We are very sorry to learn about your loss.
The family of Eric Martin, NT class of '06
Nancy McRay
March 23, 2006
Tracy & Caitlin -- My heart weeps with you. Ari was indeed a wonderful, dear girl. I remember her sense of fun and adventure when we explored music together. My best to you, Nancy (formerly Macomber)McRay
March 23, 2006
Dear Chester Family,
Although we did not know Ari, every family with a teenage girl who plays softball and loves life shares a little piece of your broken heart with you. Please know that there are many people who are praying for you in your grief. Ari is in heaven and will watch over you.
In deepest sympathy,
Friends in Park Ridge, Illinois
Beth and Wayne Grossman
March 23, 2006
To The Chester-McCormick Family,
My son Danny was friends with Ari and spoke nothing but wonderful words about her. Being at St. Francis on Tuesday, I found the presence of your family and all of Ari's friends and family a most powerful experience. Thank you for sharing her with all the people that came to know and love her. Please know that our thoughts and prayers will be with you always.
Fondly, The Grossman Family
Catherine Karabas
March 23, 2006
The entire NT community mourns the devastating loss of Ari Chester, a wonderful young lady who offered so much. May her memory be eternal.
K S
March 23, 2006
Although I do not know you personally, as a mom of teenage children in the community, I feel so deeply for all of you.
My prayers are with you.
May Ari's memory be eternal.
Judi Cornfield
March 23, 2006
My deepest sympathies to the Chester family. I didn't know Ari, but saw the tragic accident on TV. She sounds like she was a very special and wonderful daughter & sister. She's an angel in Heaven and God Bless you all at this terrible time.
Brenda Bluestone
March 23, 2006
Dear Family:
Our heartfelt condolences to all of you at this very sad time. We have been trying to impress upon our softball playing, new driving daughter the importance of being careful but Ari's death has brought home that lesson more clearly than we ever could-that even if you are watchful and good, terrible things can happen.
I just don't know what to say because I know that nothing can make it better but we all hold you in our hearts and prayers.
Most sincerely,
Brenda, Art and Madeline Tropp-Bluestone
Keith Babb
March 23, 2006
Dear Tracy, Christopher, and Caitlin:
I'm so sorry for your loss. Ari was a terrific young lady who got everything out of her too few years here. I'll never forget her enthusiasm on the softball field. Her clutch hits, particularly one against Lake Forest in the summer of 2003. Also, her clutch plays in Salina, KS where she was an integral cog in helping the girls win a national tournament. I didn't know of Ari's competence in the classroom until I looked up the admissions standards to Vanderbilt. Wow! Ari did a great job at New Trier in order to be accepted there. Then, to add to her achievements by being named co-captain of New Trier's softball team. Finally, Ari's giving nature was apparent from day 1 when our family first met her. She accepted, encouraged, and be-friended Melissa when she first joined the team in 2001. Ari will be missed and remembered forever by our family. I hope it's a comfort that I firmly believe Ari is with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God bless you.
With heartfelt condolences,
Keith & Aileen Babb
Paula Keller
March 23, 2006
My love and thoughts are with the Chester children and the McCormick familes at this tragic time - my sympathy for you all is overwhelming. With much love, Paula
Sandy and Bob Doyle
March 23, 2006
Our condolences. Our prayers are with your family at this tragic time.
Gordon Shilkus
March 23, 2006
Dear Tracy & family.
Many years ago I met you when I worked for Keyth Security in Highland Park.
Please accept my condolences during this difficult time. May God watch over Ari and your family.
Respectfully,
Gordon Shilkus
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
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