Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Ingrid Graf 1969 - 2009


Ingrid Susan Graf, a remarkably bright and engaging young woman, much loved by friends and family, died on March 29th at the age of 40.

A graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep and Oberlin College, Ingrid continued her pursuit of useful knowledge by completing two masters degrees: Masters of Social Work at Loyola University, and an M.B.A. at the University of Illinois. Ingrid applied her great intellect to helping people, working first at the Department of Children and Family Services, and then for 11 years at the University of Illinois Survey Research Lab, where her colleagues appreciated her energy and imagination, and her skill at planning and directing their important social science projects and coordinating their efforts.

She is survived by her boyfriend Chris Williams and her immediate family--cousins Cindy Paulauskas, Terri Lydon and Tom Lydon, uncles John Radner and John Reque, Aunt Barbara Radner, and mother Mary Ann Pike--as well as by hundreds of friends. Her family is deeply thankful for the great efforts of the Chicago Fire Department and the extraordinary care of the doctors, nurses and staff at Northwestern Hospital, and for the many kindnesses of Father Paulson and Ingrid's friends during this time of loss. There was a private burial on March 31st, and there will be a Memorial Service on May 16th where her hundreds of friends can celebrate her life and enduring friendship. "In a chaotic world, friendship is the most elegant, the most lasting way to be useful. We are, each of us, a living testament to our friends' compassion and tolerance, humor and wisdom, patience and grit." (Lonely Planet, Steven Dietz, 1992.)

The family has established a scholarship fund at St. Ignatius to honor Ingrid. For information, contact Tom Ramsden: 312.432.8346, tom.ramsden@ignatius.org.

4 comments:

Terri said...

Ingrid was incredible. I'm sad for everyone who never got to meet her.

Annie ViƱa said...

This is awful. What a loss! Ingrid was our first family babysitter; we were all in grammar school together. We always asked if she would recite 'Jabberwocky' to us before bed, and she always obliged with great aplomb and perfect diction. I'm so sorry to hear this and I offer a grateful family's condolences to her loved ones at this difficult time.

Lynsee Melchi said...

I just heard about Ingrid's tragic death today...I'm deeply saddened. I worked with Ingrid from time to time at Survey Research Lab and she was always great to work with. Much love to those close to her!

Unknown said...

This is the first time I have seen this website. Thanks.

Chris Williams