Arlene Hamrin

This past spring, Chicago's school children lost a good friend, Arlene Hamrin. Arlene died on April 18, 2009 due to complications from a stroke she suffered in 2001; she was 89 years old. In 1953, Arlene began her career as a Chicago public school teacher, teaching elementary school children in the South Shore area of Chicago. In 1971, Arlene moved from South Shore to Michigan City, Indiana; however, she continued to teach in Chicago's public schools, commuting into the city each day by train. In the mid-1970s, Arlene was the director of the “Access to Excellence” program for gifted students in the Hyde Park area of Chicago. In 1981, after nearly 30 years, Arlene retired from the Chicago public school system. After her retirement, she continued her work as an educator by volunteering as a docent at the Chicago Art Institute. From 1981-2001, she introduced countless Chicago children to the wonders of art in all its varied forms. Arlene is survived by her sons: Colin F. Smith (Laurie Penca); and Roger Smith and his wife Margie and their two sons, Preston and Austin; and by her nephew Philip Junker and his wife Christine and their children, Matthew and Cecilia. A mass celebrating Arlene's life will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel at Notre Dame Church, 1000 Moore Road, Michigan City, IN 46360, (219) 872-6216. Following the mass, there will be a reception at the Duneland Beach Inn, 3311 Pottawatomie Trail, Duneland Beach, IN 46360, 800-423-7729. For those wishing to make a donation in Arlene’s memory, please send your gift to the Docent Program in the Department of Museum Education at the Art Institute of Chicago.