Obituary

Lael Ruth Scoglio passed away on Thursday, July 29th in her Chicago home of cancer at age 62. She was surrounded by her loved ones at her bedside.
Lael always loved an adventure. One of her favorite adventures to recount was a story when she was in the San Cristobal area of Mexico in 1970. While horseback riding in the mountains, she removed the horse’s bit (not knowing its function) and was forced to cling to its mane as it raced down the steep trail and collided with vendor carts in a street festival. At age 50, Lael journeyed to Canada on an Outward Bound scholarship. While there she scaled a mountain and swam in rapid waters. Lael loved to travel, and in general made her life an event to remember.
An artist at heart, she created and sold crafts with the craft collective 'Jamboree,' making puppets and children’s toys. She created stained glass, ceramic pieces and paintings throughout her life. Her love of books was evident in two successful businesses - The Book-Worm children’s bookstore in Evanston IL, that she co-founded and ran in the 80’s, and as a book procurer in the 90’s for Chicago Public School’s elementary teachers through the Roshelle Lee Fund, where her loving guidance in book selections was appreciated by her many clients. Lael also helped her husband Frank operate the Burgundy Inn, a popular North side Chicago restaurant, for three decades, and was a loving mother to her children.
A community organizer, she founded the Northside Parent’s Network in 1980 and chaired Kindred Hearts, a women’s support organization in Evanston IL, for many years. Throughout her life, Lael continually strived for higher ground and received her Bachelor’s degree in Photography from Columbia College in 1976, and a Master’s degree in Psychotherapy from Roosevelt University in 1998. She later became a licensed appraiser and the owner and founder of AppraiserChicago.com.
Born Lael Ruth Cropper in Mount Prospect Illinois in 1947 to Ralph and Ellen Cropper, she is survived by her partner Karen Baier, children Anthony Scoglio, and Megan (Daryl) Moon, mother Ellen Cropper, and siblings John (Judy) Cropper, Dave Cropper and Joy (Steve) Rainey. She is preceded by brother Andy Cropper, father Ralph Cropper, and husband Frank Scoglio.
The visitation and memorial service will be held on Sunday August 8th at Lakeview Funeral Home, 1458 W. Belmont in Chicago. The visitation will be from 3-4:30 pm and the memorial service will be from 4:30-5:30. For information 773-472-6300 or www.lakeviewfuneralhome.com
Throughout her cancer treatments, Lael was supported and treated by many doctors and caregivers, and she would like to show her appreciation for them. She is therefore asking that instead of flowers, donations be made in her name to: The Jiang Jing Institute, 1515 Sherman Avenue, Evanton IL, 60201.
Lael will be greatly missed by her family, many friends, and colleagues.