Ackerman, Ghia

On May 28, 2022 at 83, the angels returned for Ghia. She had challenged them for over a year while residing at Dobson Plaza Nursing Home before traveling into her next life. Ghia was married to her beloved Allan, for the better part of 40 years. When they married her son, Adam and Allan’s daughters Brett and Stacy and son, Jonathan became part of their union. She treated the children equally, scolded each when they were miserable and hugged each to celebrate their many achievements. Sadly, Adam and Stacy predeceased Ghia. Her remarkable history included earning undergraduate degrees in English literature, later writing best-selling grade school text books for a leading Chicago area publisher. Her resume reflected her having been a playboy bunny and the head of in-house advertising for U.S. Gypsum. In her 50s she embarked on a career as a successful trader of stocks and bonds, while taking the time to edit Allan’s legal filings. She was determined to teach him the beauty of a simple declarative sentence. During 2019 she graded her last Allanedit with an A-, remarking that he was finally learning how to write. Ghia was a passionate advocate for women’s rights. Many described Ghia as incredibly spirited which translated into frequently engaging in verbal disputes with anyone about anything. During our 35 years living in Chicago’s Old Town she was often seen walking Gideon, her prized German Shepard, for blocks/miles. She and Gideon were known to stop at many of the stylish and expensive Oak Street stores where she would try on garments always asking Gideon how she looked. Apparently if he tendered his left front paw he thought she looked great and she would immediately purchase those garments. Ghia never pretended to know how to cook, bake or sew. Thus, they ate and entertained others at Orso’s Old Town Restaurant on a nightly basis. Orso’s had a well-known pianist, Robert Fritag and she would often tell Robert to “play me some blues.” Robert always obliged. She cultivated many Old Town friends including the Guske Clan, Bridgeport Mikey, Judy P and many others, along with the Old Town Orso’s family and staff. Ghia’s competitive nature bordered on surreal. She would compete with herself if others were unavailable for competitive challenges. About 10 years ago she underwent 11 hours worth of left leg bypass surgery at Northwestern Hospital. Within 48 hours and against medical advice she left the hospital and returned home to facilitate her therapeutic recovery. She was back walking within two days. That was part of her stubborn approach to life. She lived it on her terms. Ghia’s mantra for the last many years was simply “play it as it lays.” Over the last three years of her wonderful life she suffered from advancing dementia. She understood much, but said very little. Those impairments aside, if she had an important response to something that was said, she gathered her strength and verbalized her thoughts. Given Ghia’s temperament and history, the angels have their hands full. The Ackerman Family wishes to thank the staff and administration at Dobson Plaza and her hospice caretakers for Ghia’s extraordinary care over the last many, many months. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N. Cicero Ave. Chicago IL at 1:00pm. Interment private. For more information please call 773-7363833.

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