Louise Clarke Hough

Louise Clarke Hough, 93, a lifelong resident of Lake Forest, Illinois, passed away peacefully in Lake Forest on the evening of April 21, 2026. Louise came into the world on November 3, 1932 in Lake Forest, the youngest of three children born to Virginie Dennehy Clarke and Charles Frederick Clarke. She grew up alongside her beloved brother Charley and sister Patty, attending the Bell School with them. She attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Noroton, Connecticut, followed by Bennett School for Girls in Millbrook, New York. Then onto a brief career in New York at Holiday Magazine, finally settling in Chicago to work as assistant to the head of the Reynolds Company. Life in Chicago was about socializing and enjoying friends. Wintertime brought membership in the Chicago Snow Chase Club and on one of their ski trips, she met her future husband the late John W. Hough, a local Chicago lawyer. Their marriage in May 1961 was followed by the births of 6 children, born in the 1960s topping it off with the last born in 1970. Louise is survived by children John W. Hough, Jr., Virginie L. Hough and son-in-law Joerg Duebel, Charlie F. Hough, Stephen C. Hough and daughter-in-law Betsy Hough, Louise H. Palangi and Nancy R. Hough. Louise’s children all married, giving her 15 grandchildren: Kelsey, Charlie, Eleanor, Caitlin, Austin, Clarke, Loulou, Patrick, Franny, Vivien, Henry, Allie, Helene, Will and Cooper. Two months prior to her passing, Louise was blessed with great grandson George born to Austin and his wife Elle. She is also survived by sister-in-law Eleanor O. Clarke of Lake Forest and many loving nieces and nephews. Louise loved being seasonally in Florida with her husband John beginning in 1998. She was an avid tennis player, platform tennis player and golfer. She took walks daily in the afternoons, skied into her late 60s and played bridge to win. After she could no longer drive, she continued to escape Chicago winters in Florida cared for by her daughter Virginie and son-in-law Joerg for four more years until returning to Lake Forest in the care of Lake Forest Place and Barbara Fudali. As an act of remembrance, Louise would have you go outside with a child and play a ball sport of any kind with them. Alternatively walk outside and observe nature. A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. with a Celebration of Life Mass beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Mary, 175 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest, IL. Interment thereafter will be private. In lieu of flowers, kind donations to Suncrest Hospice, 5 Revere Drive, Suite 130, Northbrook, IL 60062 would be greatly appreciated. Donations are used to provide end-of-life memorial services for families unable to afford them.

Louise Clarke Hough

November 3, 1932 - April 21, 2026