Harriet B. Vrasic

A Memorial Visitation for Harriet B. Vrasic, 95 ½ , of Arlington Heights and Inverness, will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the Memorial Service at 4:00 p.m. at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, Palatine, IL.

Harriet was born June 28, 1926 in Chicago and passed away March 1, 2022 in Arlington Heights.

Harriet was the beloved wife of the late John R. Vrasic; loving mother of Janet L. Vrasic; dear daughter of the late Peter and Harriette; fond sister of the late Mildred, Laurette, Sylvia, Florence, Peter, and Adele; and cherished aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Harriet attended the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, then worked for the U of I Eye and Ear Institute in Chicago for many years. In the years prior to becoming parents, Harriet and John enjoyed road trips across the USA, visiting many World Fairs, national monuments, and national parks. They often took their nieces & nephews on fishing and camping trips in the US and Canada, passing along their love for travel, nature, and adventure. They hosted family picnics and boating adventures on the Chain of Lakes every summer that became a tradition for many years. Later on, her interest in travel included many trips to Great Britain, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand. Her love of Chicago was evidenced by their patronage and support of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Goodman Theater, the Lyric Opera, boating on Lake Michigan, Marshall Field’s, and the many fine dining restaurants in the city. She also enjoyed sports and cheered on both the White Sox and the Cubs, the Blackhawks, the Bulls and the Fighting Illini. 

Harriet’s hobbies and passions included gardening, bike riding, tennis, bridge, travel, cooking, walking Muffet, the St. Bernard, and hosting family dinners, with her Christmas fruitcake a beloved family tradition. She was active over the years in the Inverness Garden Club, Inverness Community Association, and the Inverness Bridge Club, as well as the Forest Grove Tennis Club. She always volunteered at her daughter’s schools and activities over the years, hosting bake sales, fundraising events and more. There was always a fresh pot of coffee and refreshments ready in case someone popped by for a visit.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be appreciated for Houston Chow Chow Connection, a chow chow rescue dedicated to saving this unique breed that she loved since childhood. Mitsy & Cheefu were her family’s chows. She is pictured above with Cinnamon. Donations can be made at hccchou.org via the “donate now” button.

Her gift for entertaining, socializing with friends & family, and her welcoming smile led to many friends over the years, especially in her last years at Hearthstone Assisted Living in Arlington Heights, where she remained the most active and engaged resident up until the very end. A life well-lived, indeed.