Maxine Morrison Hunter

With a natural zest for life and all of its blessings, Maxine Morrison Hunter’s love of family and her never ending thirst for knowledge, guided her throughout her life. The communities of Lake Forest, IL and Boca Grande, FL lost a warm and welcoming friend on November 30, 2024. Maxine was 94 and was fortunate to know six generations of family. Born and raised in Lake Forest, Maxine, the daughter of Lois and Willard Morrison (along with her three siblings and two half-brothers) developed a great love of music, gardening, and the outdoors. When she was just a girl, Lake Forest was a quiet community, and Maxine would ride her bike to Gorton School from west Lake Forest. While a student there, she met her childhood sweetheart and future husband, Thomas (Tom) B. Hunter III. He proposed to her for the first time in the eighth grade. Yet, it wasn’t until Maxine graduated from Lake Forest High School, Colby Sawyer College, and spent a few years in Manhattan, that the two were married on August 16, 1952, at her family's home. Their love story spanned more than seven decades. Maxine was a loving homemaker and mother of two sons, Thomas B. Hunter, IV and Willard M. Hunter. Maxine continued her passion for music as a classically trained pianist and gained a reputation as a favorite piano teacher among many local students. Her love of music was a focal point of her life, even leading her to learn jazz piano while taking music theory classes at Lake Forest College. Both of her sons have clear memories of trips to the city on Friday afternoons to enjoy performances at the Chicago Symphony. Maxine was a member of the Ravinia Festival “family” for more than 50 years. As a Women’s Board member, she was at the heart of those who shaped the spirit of this organization. Her involvement with the Chicago Botanic Garden began in 1971, before the Garden was even open to the public, and she remained involved for the remainder of her life. She was the founding board President of the Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods and her support never wavered. Maxine’s love of gardens and gardening kept her an active and award-winning member of the Lake Forest Garden Club and the Garden Club of America beginning in 1973. She also served as a board member of The Infant Welfare Society of Chicago and The Antiquarian Society of the Art Institute of Chicago as a lifetime member. Maxine loved to cook and travel. Both she and her husband, Tom, also thoroughly enjoyed entertaining friends and family. She traveled to France, Italy, and Thailand to cook with well-known chefs, such as Simone Beck in Provence. Her home was a favorite stop for their sons and their friends to enjoy wonderful food, friendship, and laughter. The Hunters entertained regularly for family and friends, as well as to support local causes. One of Maxine and Tom’s most meaningful accomplishments was the creation of the Hunter Family Foundation in 1993. Initially, the Foundation supported the arts because it was a shared interest of the Hunters. It wasn’t long, however, before they found themselves giving to more community-based initiatives in the areas that they lived. Outside of Chicago, they supported organizations in Boca Grande and other communities where their children and grandchildren reside. Maxine’s legacy lives on through her family—most especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be lovingly remembered for her nurturing and generous spirit, her curiosity, her optimistic outlook, her philanthropy, and her ability to bring people together and make them feel “at home” in her presence. Maxine is survived by sons Thomas B. Hunter (Tscharner) of Lake Forest, Willard M. Hunter (Lori) of Lake Bluff, Grandchildren Tscharner G. Hunter (Alex Tonelli), Thomas R. Hunter, Benjamin J. Hunter, Peter M. Hunter (Sara), Willard K. Hunter; great grandchildren Brannen M. Tonelli, Nicholas H. Tonelli, Mae G, Tonelli, Owen G, Hunter and Charles L. Hunter. Memorial contributions can be made in Maxine Morrison Hunter’s name to Ravinia Festival and Chicago Botanic Garden. A private family service will be held. For information – Reuland & Turnbough Funeral Directors of Lake Forest, 847-234-9649 or www.RTfunerals.com.

Maxine Morrison Hunter

May 12, 1930 - November 30, 2024