Lois Kathleen Cedarquist, nee O’Brien, born in River Forest, IL, on September 5, 1923, died peacefully at the age of 94 on Monday, September 18 surrounded by family. Preceded in death by her husband Wayland, she was the loving mother of Kris McKinnon (Terry), Karen Fraioli (Edward) and Kay Rossiter (Peter), loving grandmother of Stephanie, Amy, Heather, Mark, Ann, Elizabeth and John, loving great-grandmother of Sam, Caroline, Elinor, Alex, Meghan, Theo, Eliana and Nicolas, beloved sister of Donald O’Brien and the late Edward Morse O’Brien, and loving aunt of Linda and Julie.
During World War II, Lois left the University of Michigan to marry Army officer and lawyer Wayland Cedarquist. They built their home in Lake Forest, IL, raising three daughters there.
After forty-five years, they moved to Crystal Point Condominiums in Lake Forest, where Lois loved to spend time in the swimming pool. Most recently, she resided at Lake Forest Place where she enjoyed many activities, including Bible Study and Chapel, lunch and dinner with friends and family, outings to the Botanic Garden, plus the occasional shopping spree at her favorite store, Talbots. It was noted at her funeral that she was always “dressed for Sunday”.
Lois was an active volunteer, working for many years organizing the Annual Book Sale at the Lake Forest Library. She was also one of the longest-serving volunteers at Lake Forest Hospital (her golden tree award pin ran out of room for jewels) and a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Board. She was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit for seventy years where she taught Sunday School, headed up the Altar Guild, crafted needlepoint cushions, helped in the church office and worked in the Resale Shop.
Among her gifts and talents, Lois was an avid reader, puzzle collector, reciter of poetry, needlepointer, craftsperson and calligrapher. She loved music and had a special place in her heart (and her apartment) for her piano. She also loved her Wednesday lunch group and weekly salon appointments with Dee in Highwood.
Lois had a deep love and connection with each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She shared with each of them crafts and games, music and poetry and left them with memories that they will always treasure. She also adored her sons-in-law and grandsons-in-law Terry, Ed, Pete, David, Joe, Peter and Aaron, and granddaughter-in-law Lisa.
A service and celebration of her life was held in September at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of the Holy Spirit.