Hortense Singer Obituary

Singer, Hortense G. philanthropist, civic activist, and longtime patron of the arts in Chicago and Rancho Mirage, California died of natural causes Sunday. She was at her Rancho Mirage home surrounded by family and friends after celebrating her birthday the previous day. Known for her vitality, straight talk, style and zest for life, she lived her last day to the fullest, including a mid-morning swim, a dinner out with friends in a smart blue suit, and a theater performance. Hortense Singer, known as Horty, was born in Chicago and had a lifelong love affair with the city. She never tired of gazing out the window of her Lake Shore Drive apartment, marveling at the wondrous skyline she saw change and grow taller and wider year after year. The annual summer air shows over Oak Street beach and the fireworks at Navy Pier left her breathless. She was a favored regular at the Drake Hotel's Club International for nearly a half a century, and proudly boasted that she was one of the first female members there in her own standing. The architecture, the people and the food of Chicago engaged her, particularly Gibson's restaurant on Rush Street. She was a lifelong member of Temple Shalom, Chicago Sinai Temple, the Standard Club and Bryn Mawr Country Club and a patron of the University of Chicago Hospital. She attended Depaul University. She knew every quadrant of the city, from North to South, from rib joints to fancy fare and regaled visitors with her stories of this ever-changing vibrant place. She had friends in many circles, including presidents, business luminaries, artists and actors, but more than anything else, she loved to spend time with her son and daughter, her five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She was a Century member of Tamarisk Country Club in California. In California and Chicago, she made her presence known with her generous philanthropy, her devotion to the arts, education and the enchanting parties she loved to throw for her many friends. Most recently last November, she surprised guests with a performance by her friend, renowned piano player and songwriter, Marvin Hamlisch. She and her husband, Joseph L. Stone, were founding members of the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art and she continued her work for the museum on the board of directors throughout her life, advocating for many up-and-coming artists who would otherwise never have been recognized. In October 2007, the museum dedicated the Hortense G. Singer/ Joseph L. Stone family gallery. She also was the longest-serving trustee of the Palm Springs Art Museum. She and her then- husband, Leo Stanton Singer donated the Leo Singer Miniature Gallery. She was a member of the museum¹s President¹s Circle, and Legacy Circle and has been a Gala Patron donor for many years. She was a distinguished founder and trustee of the McCallum Theater in Palm Springs, as well as a President's Circle Member and Gala Patron donor for many years. She was a President¹s Circle and donor to the College of the Desert. She was a major donor to the Eisenhower Medical Center, and recently announced a gift to fund the nurse's station of the 24/7 unit of Eisenhower Medical Center. She was a member of the Jewish Federation of the Desert and Jewish Federation in Chicago for many years. She was preceded in death by her husbands Joseph Leonard Stone and Leo Stanton Singer and her brother, Lawrence Gates and sister, Meta Gross. She is survived by her son, William A. Stone and his wife, Mary Stone; her daughter Susan Jacobs and her husband Dr. Robert Jacobs; her granddaughter Pamela Ryan, her husband Michael Ryan and their children, Rebecca, Matthew and Emily; granddaughter Deborah Godchaux and her husband, Erik Godchaux, and their daughter Leah; grandson William A. Stone Jr., his wife, Carolyn Stone and their daughters, Taylor and Sammy; granddaughter, Joanne Pandey and her husband, Deven Pandey and their son Akash; and granddaughter Mary Shwayder. Expressions of sympathy may be made to: The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, The Jewish United Fund of Chicago, the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs or the Palm Springs Art Museum. Services will be Friday May 16, 2008, 10:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time at Chicago Sinai Congregation, 15 West Delaware Place, Chicago, IL. Entombment at Rosehill Mausoleum will follow.