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Veronica Vrtis Obituary
Veronica Ann Vrtis, 58, passed away on Monday, May 15, 2023, at her home in Chicago, Illinois, after a valiant eight-month battle against stage four pancreatic cancer. At her side were her loving sister, Susan Younger; and her devoted pet cat, George.
Veronica was born on July 19, 1964, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to Joan F. Vrtis (née Kubik) of Michigan City and the late Charles E. Vrtis.
Aside from her sister, Susan (Raymond) of Sierra Vista, Arizona, she is also survived by her brothers, Charles M. of Portland, Maine, and Vincent of Michigan City; niece, Caroline of Portland, Oregon; as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Veronica graduated from Rogers High School in Michigan City. She then earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Indiana University. Her career was spent in the travel industry, primarily working with American Express Travel on their account with the American Hospital Association.
One thing that was consistent in Veronica's life was her joy from animals of any kind, although she had a particularly deep love of cats. She enjoyed many years of paw rubs and purring from her cats, Hubert and Daisy, both of whom came from shelters. A few years after their deaths, Veronica welcomed George, another shelter cat, into her home. Veronica also spent several years doing volunteer work and raising funds for PAWS Chicago.
In her later years, Veronica developed another deep love, this being for running. Come rain or shine, Veronica would get in a daily run. She was very proud of completing several half-marathons.
Veronica lived life on her own terms, and it was a given she would provide laughs at any family event. She will be deeply missed.
The family wants to give special thanks to Mylese Tucker and Laura Kleinschmidt Pinegar, longtime friends of Veronica since their junior high school days together, who made special trips to Chicago to spend time with her. In addition, we give thanks to hospice nurse Grant Goode, who assisted Susan in providing compassionate care to Veronica, as well as the Cremation Society of Illinois.
A memorial service followed by internment at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Michigan City will occur at a later date. Memorials may be made to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.
To sign a guestbook and leave condolences online, visit our website at www.otthaverstock.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Veronica Vrtis
Jorge Morales
November 20, 2024
Veronica,
I miss you! I didn´t realize how much our conversations meant to me and being your neighbor was a privilege. I´m now the neighbor who´s lived in our section of the apartment complex the longest and consider it an honor. While I don´t plan on staying too much longer, it reminds me of you and that in and of itself makes me happy! :) Take care friend. I hope George is doing well.
Stef
May 20, 2023
Veronica was one of my longstanding and dearest Instagram friends. We immediately clicked online I think almost 10 years ago, over our common love for cats (and pets/ animals) and running and the joy of loving, funny comments. Over the last years, we exchanged so many messages, which always filled my heart with happiness and love for her, even if we had never met in person. We often wrote to each other how wonderful it would be one day to lace up our Brooks and run together in Chicago. I feel dismantled and crushed by her passing (I refuse to accept this is for real) and I can't even start to imagine the pain her family is going through. She sent me her last message on Instagram on May 2nd, telling me she had quit her chemotherapy the previous week, because it wasn't working. I immediately replied to her and she saw my message, which (how I regret it now) was mostly about any possible chance with immunotherapy. Too late (the day I now know was the day after she passed) I sent her another message, telling her once more how much our online friendship meant to me, and how I wanted to hold her and how she had been every day in my thoughts. I hope she's feeling the content of that last message, up there in the Universe. I send Love and Light to her family and friends, during this devastating time of grief. Veronica, dear, you are forever in my heart. Shine on, wonderful girl, shine on.
Karla (Barnes) Schoof
May 20, 2023
Dear Veronica,
I´m sorry I did not know of your cancer. I will forever, cherish memories of you, and I working at IU library, and rooming together at Park Doral. I remember your first kitty love, Gerta.
I´m grateful to think of you in your Heaven, tending to all the kitties and dogs that need your love. My heart goes out to mom Joan, your sister Susan, brothers and all the family and friends that love you. Peace, Love Karla
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Sherie McCarthy Neitzel
May 17, 2023
I am very saddened to hear about Veronica´s passing and illness. The Vrtis family was like my 2nd family growing up. Veronica was always around when I hung out with Susan.
Thankfully we were in touch some over the past 10 years. She amused me online with her cat stories. I am glad she is no longer in pain but my heart is breaking for her family. May God help you through this difficult time. Sending my love, Sherie McCarthy NEITZEL
Jorge Morales
May 17, 2023
Veronica,
I just wanted to thank you for all of your kindness for when I was living on my own. I didn´t know what I would do when my ex initially moved out, however your constant kindness and checkups kept me a float in a time where I felt the most alone. I hope that you´re no longer suffering and that you can feel all the love and care that we poured into you. It was never a bother grabbing your meds, or taking down your trash, or helping you out in anyway you needed.
I´ll truly miss you and our conversations in which we laughed about our new neighbors and how they frequently annoyed you with their loud habits. I´ll also miss hearing George meow throughout the day and occasionally running down the stairs to catch him after he escaped from your apartment.
Cathy Hardet
May 17, 2023
Veronica, you might in the end be my ex sister-in-law, but you were always just a sister in law. I will never forget the laughs that we had, and the animals that we shared in common. You were a unique individual with a unique sense of humor, which I loved. May you fly high with the angels and all the animals beside you. Love you Cathy.
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