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Lorna Sim Gladstone
Lorna Sim Gladstone
Obituary
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Lorna Gladstone Obituary
Born in Chicago, IL, to Doctor Lee and Gertrude Gladstone, Lorna was brilliant and ahead of her time. She earned her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Chicago and used it to fuel a dynamic and impactful career in radio. She made a big mark at WGN with her innovative programming, first running nationally acclaimed Milt Rosenberg talk show and later becoming WGN's first female program director. Eventually launched her own radio consulting business, extending her influence across the industry. She was a generous mentor to many, guiding colleagues and emerging leaders with wisdom, encouragement, and clarity.
Lorna was a co-founder of Educate Bwindi, a nonprofit organization in Bwindi, Uganda, where she dedicated herself to improving the lives of hundreds of children, offering not just education, but food, housing, and hope. Her deep commitment to using the power of education as a catalyst for change transformed the trajectory of the community and inspired countless children to aspire to and complete secondary school and college.
A devoted environmentalist, Lorna was the steward of the Gladstone Fen in Bull Valley, Illinois, and her reverence for nature and unwavering belief in the importance of land preservation made her a powerful force in conservation efforts across Northern Illinois.
She was also a highly skilled baker of cakes, pies, and desserts of all kinds, lovingly carrying forward her mother's treasured recipes and perfecting them with her own signature touches. Lorna adored her Maltese pups, who were her beloved companions and constant sources of joy.
Her family will miss her deeply, and her profound impact on all of us will be something we carry forward. The lives she touched, spanning continents, generations, and ecosystems are her legacy. She made her mark, and the world is better because she was in it.
She is survived by her brother, Evan Gladstone and his wife, Michelle & their son Juda; her niece, Gaelin Gladstone (and Armen); her grandnieces and grandnephews, Briana, Gabby, Anisa (and Joanne), and Karma Martinez; and her great grandnephew, Aiden Martinez.
There will not be formal services. In honor of her memory, donations may be made to Educate Bwindi as a way to celebrate her life and continue her legacy: https://educatebwindi.org/make-a-donation/
We invite you to share photos and stories as a way to celebrate Lorna's life.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Muhwezi Keneth
July 22, 2025
Lorna was impactful here in Uganda and to the World we shall miss her always and pray for her
Marda LeBeau
June 30, 2025
Lorna was my most trusted friend. After meeting in the early 80-s, she was there for virtually every major event in my life. She was close to my husband and daughter. We travelled together and spent happy times at her house in McHenry where I got to know her parents. Lorna went with me to buy oriental rugs and choose furniture. We went to cooking school in Italy. She helped me make important career decisions. Just before she got sick, we talked of taking a trip to Vienna.
Now, she´s gone and I miss her.
Marda LeBeau
Lisa Haderlein
June 29, 2025
Lorna was a force for so much good in the world. She will be with us forever through the Bwindi students she helped receive an education and the many contributions she made to conservation. Thank you for your inspiration Lorna.
Julie Kahn
June 27, 2025
Lorna was my first "professional" friend when I started my career at WGN in the early `80´s. We immediately bonded and I just loved her. She was so bright, funny and fun to shop and eat with - we loved doing both . Love you Lorna.
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June 24, 2025
Lorna and her brother Evan with their parents Gertrude and Lee in the early 1950s.
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June 24, 2025
Lorna in the 1960s.
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June 24, 2025
Lorna in the early 1980s.
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June 24, 2025
Lorna in the 1970s.
Cathy Mooney
June 24, 2025
Lorna cared. Whether it was radio, helping the children in Bwindi, preserving the fen, or helping a friend, Lorna would see a way to change and improve the world around her and did something about it. And she loved to teach us, and help others while doing it.
I feel honored to have been her friend. She will be missed, but she leaves a truly wonderful legacy for all of us to cherish.
J. Heuer
June 24, 2025
Lorna was a dear friend for about half my life. What a wonderful person! She showed me how to make Challah, I helped her with her icecream maker, we shared a cup in Cherryvalley. Fond memories, I will miss her dearly.
Never short of a point of view, she knew when to tell me I was silly and also when to let me figure it out myself. We wanted to spend a week in our house in France this fall; now she will never walk our beach.
I miss her.
Irwin Shiffman
June 23, 2025
Lorna and the Gladstone family supported and referred many clients to me as a travel advisor. Thanksgiving in Aspen was an unforgettable holiday one year. Condolences to Evan and the family
Adina Klein
June 23, 2025
Lorna was a close friend of my parents and was like an aunt to me. Spending time with her in McHenry is one of my most fond childhood memories and she will be greatly missed at all our Jewish holiday celebrations.
Julie Shelton
June 22, 2025
It's hard to express how kind and generous, and what a wonderful friend, Lorna has been to me over the years. From telling me " You really need to wear eyeliner" (she was right), to pulling up with entire set of dishes from Marshalls in her trunk "Saw these and grabbed them all in case you wanted them" (still have then 20 years later), to coming to the rescue when I was away in China and my daughter got her first period. Lorna even shared her famous sugar cookie recipe with my daughter, swearing her to secrecy. We played poker for years with a dear group of friends, gathered at her country home, danced at numerous benefits, compared notes on a million things, and it's hard to imagine the world without her. Lorna did so much good in her life. We were so lucky to have her.
John nelson
June 21, 2025
I will miss Lorna Gladstone. Every time I visit her nature preserve, she will be with me in spirit. I always knew Lorna lived in two different worlds. One was the "city". The other was the "country". I know the Country Lorna who cared deeply about her nature preserve - Gladstone Fen. It was my privilege to work with her, and many others, to steward and restore Gladstone Fen. It is an ecological restoration success story because of her. She welcomed all who wanted to help. And she invited us all into her Bull Valley home on work days for a hearty meal and delicious baked treats. I will miss Lorna very much. But I will feel her loving and kind presence every time I visit Gladstone Fen. Good bye, my Freind.
Linda Stern
June 21, 2025
Lorna and I met through business and became friends for life. She was a brilliant programmer, a brilliant woman and a wonderful friend. No matter where she worked or what she did her employers and benefactors received much more than they ever could have anticipated. When I moved to Chicago 25 years ago Lorna became my resource for where to live, medical care, and especially where to eat as long as the menu was French.
She loved good movies and fine chocolate and most of all, those two little white dogs. I´ll miss our dinner excursions and those phone calls on her way back from the country. Evan and family, my deepest sympathy to all of you. She was a blessing
NELSON TWIJUKYE
June 21, 2025
It's with deep sorrow that we learned about her death , quite tragedy,
She definitely has impacted thousands people's lives , I remember the day I first met her at BWINDI WATOTO SCHOOL under EDUCATE BWINDI, ,
Way back, she has been my personal mentor and provided all kinds of support throughout my secondary education, in the Veterinary college,and now at university, , no words would explain how good she has been to most of us , but her legacy will forever be on thousands of people's hearts,
May her soul rest with angels....
We shall definitely miss her
Kathleen Garness
June 20, 2025
Lorna loved Gladstone Fen, one of the highest-quality natural areas, certainly for its size, in northeastern Illinois. She made sure it was cared for properly and knew every plant within its boundaries, native or not. I had the privilege of meeting Lorna when Plants of Concern, a program of the Negaunee Institute of the Chicago Botanic Garden, sent me out there to monitor some of the very rare plants found at Gladstone. She always invited us to a lunch she lovingly prepared for us, and we shared lots of intelligent and meaningful conversations. Her spirit lives on in that fen. I pray that it will remain as part of her lasting legacy.
Weezie Kramer
June 20, 2025
Lorna was a special individual who made an impact on so many. She was brilliant, fun, and had more integrity than anyone could ever imagine. If you were lucky enough to be in her orbit, then you were touched by her wisdom, grace and compassion... and perhaps her honest critique. I was fortunate to have been friends and a coworker of Lorna´s . There were several super powers that she had. 1) the gift of identifying talent. No one was better. 2) She could read a contract as well as any attorney and knew what points to negotiate. 3) she cared deeply about the people that she worked with and was always an advocate for her team. Lorna embodied leadership.
Her advocacy and dedication to helping to educate the children of Bwindi was a full time job. She gave her all to champion for these kids to help them have a better life. In our current chaotic world, we need more Lorna´s. I hope she looks down from heaven and is able to put her thumbprint on change with compassion.
Lorna was also a collector and fashionista. Her home was warm and stylish and filled with art and collectibles.
My heart goes out to her babies, her two dogs who were her constant companions.
The world will miss Lorna. She was the best. May she rest in peace.
Joe McArdle
June 20, 2025
Lorna is a legend in Chicago radio. When I met her for the first time, I was pretty green in the industry, trying to make a bigger impact. She interviewed me and hired me to be a sound producer for Bears games on WMAQ. I was re-introduced to her 8 years later and I had a larger role at the station I was with. It was here that we bonded and shared a true love for the business and the role of creativity in it. I was in awe of her brilliance and I was so pleased to be able to call her a friend.
Susan Griffin
June 20, 2025
Generous, open, smart, ready-for-anything, stylish, warm, energetic . . . .there really aren't words enough to describe Lorna, who was, among other things, my movie-dance-dessert buddy. She is very dear to me, and I miss her greatly.
Joyce Nott
June 20, 2025
I met Lorna on my first trip to Uganda in 2010. She was traveling alone and so was I . She invited me to go see the children with her and I fell in love with those children and Uganda. I returned the next year and met her there again. She was a fascinating woman. She will always be a part of my Uganda story
Joyce
June 20, 2025
Chuck Swirsky
June 20, 2025
I worked with Lorna every day for close to 14 years at WGN radio. Her door was always open and we had some wonderful talks about life and of course the business I offer deepest condolences and heartfelt thoughts to her family and friends. She was truly a remarkable person
David Newton
June 20, 2025
Lorna Gladstone was saved my life. She was a breath of fresh air in the newsroom at WMAQ. Lorna had her own very distinctive style and she had a laugh that made you smile. She stood up for people she believed in but she also meted out discipline when necessary. My life is much fuller and richer thanks to Lorna's presence in it. You will be sorely missed.
Leslie Poliak
June 20, 2025
I met Lorna through our mutual friend, Julie Kahn many years ago. Despite the fact that I lived in California, we visited in Chicago, out here and in Boston and kept in touch via email and phone. She was a passionate, talented woman with a zest for life and I will miss her. Thinking of you Lorna!
Tom Hudson
June 20, 2025
Fair with flair, and always fiercely independent.
That was Lorna.
She had a keen eye for talent, passion and drive. She was ready to take risks on people she believed in. She struck the right balance of challenging you and being your cheerleader.
The world is a little quieter without her laugh.
And the world is better off thanks to her tireless efforts to help others.
Nancy sobol
June 20, 2025
Lorna was an absolute Delight a good neighbor generous with her time intelligent civic-minded and a totally genuine person who graced our planet and to all who came into contact with her. I'm grateful to have known her
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