OBITUARY

Name:    Elisabeth (Wills) Wick

From:  The Vindicator, Youngstown, Ohio
Date:  Tuesday, August 20, 2006

NEEDHAM, MASS. – Elisabeth “Peggy” (Wills) Wick, 95, died peacefully of old age on Aug. 11, 2006 at her home in Needham, surrounded by her favorite things and memories. All her children and grandchildren were able to be present on her last day and were able to say goodbye to her each in their own way. She was alert and aware until near end, even taking the trouble to give some last-minute advice to her children.

She was born July 15, 1911 in Youngstown, a daughter of Christian A. Wills and Ella L. Sersall. She attended public schools in Youngstown and went on to Wellesley College, graduating in 1932. She spent her junior year of college in Paris, studying at the Sorbonne.

She married her high-school sweetheart, Warner A. Wick, who became a distinguished professor of philosophy and later Dean of Students at the University of Chicago. She spent most of her adult life in Chicago and raised her three children there. The family also had a summer house in Rockport, Mass.; she greatly treasured her time there and recently spent her 95th birthday in Rockport joined by many friends and neighbors.

She was active in community organizations her entire adult life. When her children were in grade school, she was an active member of the Ray School PTA and veteran of numerous heroic paper drives. Later she became a board member of the Chicago Child Care Society and president of the University of Chicago Service League. She was a volunteer at the Oriental Institute (the Museum of Archeology at the University of Chicago) for 35 years. She was also a supporter or member of the University Chicago Chamber Music Society, The Music of the Baroque, the Midway Playreaders, the music, French and Bazaar programs of the Service League, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Lyric Opera, and especially the Chicago Symphony, which she enjoyed greatly and to which she always traveled on public transportation out of principal. She was a founding member of the Rockport Beach Ladies Club, and informal group.

She enjoyed her home, which was always beautiful. She had many sewing projects and was a good cook; her cold roast beef and cherry pie were world class, but in accordance with her character, the latter always had a slightly sharp taste. She would eat a lobster to the last molecule. She was a great reader, often reading a whole book in one night; she liked to stay up late!

She is survived by her daughter, Laura Hallowell of Canton, Mass.; her son, James Wick of Tunbridge, Vt.; a granddaughter, Susanne Hallowell of Portland, Ore.; and a grandson, Stephen Hallowell of Boston.

A memorial service will be held in the fall.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations may be made to the following organizations, which would please her greatly, the National Organization of Women, Wellesley College, Health Care Dimensions Hospice, 48 Woerd Ave., Suite 102, Waltham, MA 02453.