It is with profound personal sadness and yet with the utmost joy of our fond memories that we announce the passing of Eva Magdalena Wimpffen. Our Évi left this world on May 18, 2016, following a brief illness. We should all be heartened to know that despite her many ailments, that in the last few weeks Eva had been doing exceptionally well.

Eva's legacy endures through her devoted brothers Otto and János Wimpffen, sister-in-law Laurel Wimpffen née Hetherington, nephew István Wimpffen, niece Susan Morris née Wimpffen, and grand nephews Alexander and Nicholas Blanchard. She is also survived by an extended yet close community of cousins, nieces and nephews scattered across two continents. She equally lives on through her many dear friends who became family not only to her but to Otto, János, and Laurel as well. Whether you called her Eva or Évi, she touched so many of us.

The Countess Eveline Wimpffen was born on September 28, 1935 in Budapest, Hungary to Count and Countess János Dietrich and Zsuszka Wimpffen née Surányi. She was the eldest of their three children. Following an idyllic childhood in our country estate of Ercsi, Hungary, the family fled during World War II to live with extended family at Schloss Kainberg near Graz, Austria where Évi continued her schooling. In the early 1950s the family emigrated to Chicago where she completed her education.

Initially Eva embarked upon a path in the travel industry and soon turned to the health care profession. Spanning a career of over 30 years she rose to become a senior administrator at Rush University Medical Center. It was there that her multi-lingual writing and speaking skills as well as her organizational abilities were highly cherished. It was also there that rheumatoid arthritis, diagnosed at an early age, began to take its toll.

While this ailment would go on to wrack her body it never once touched Eva's spirit, soul, or her sheer joie de vivre. Indeed, it would become one of her assets. Professionally, she became a champion of and a consultant for the rights of the disabled. She was a member of Rush's ADA Task Force and was presented with the Eugene Thonar Award for her work. Eva's approach became an inspiration for us all. By any measure, she was stronger than an Olympic athlete, more accomplished than a Nobel winner, more cultured than a Poet Laureate, more elegant than a film star, and more intelligent than any Ph.D.

Évi had three great loves; her family, animals, and music. After having long been the caregiver to her elders, Évi then treasured the responsibilities of being the family matriarch. It was a role that would earn her the affectionate nickname of Mon Générale. Évi doled out equal amounts of sage advice as well as not so subtle admonitions to her siblings and relatives and her counsel was sought by all. Whether it was observing the back yard cardinals with her father, playing with the various family dogs, doting on her own beloved cats, or donating to their benefit, the furry and feathered creatures around us were blessed by her presence.

Eva was more than conversant in all the fine arts. She was a patron to and a member of all the great Chicago institutions. It was with music that she truly came alive. A long-time subscriber to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera, it was in a soaring Verdi aria, a majestic Mahler symphony, or a peaceful Bártok concerto where Eva found her greatest solace.

There is so much more to Évi than these words could possibly convey. It is now our responsibility to share with each other those aspects of her that touched our lives. That would have made Eva happy.

There will be a Memorial Mass said for Eva Wimpffen September 24, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Saint Stephen of Hungary Catholic Church, 2015 W. Augusta Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60622. Reception to follow, at the Church.

In keeping with her wishes and interests, we have established two memorial funds in her honor:

Arthritis National Research Foundation
5354 East Second Street, Suite 201
Long Beach, California 90803
www.curearthritis.org/honorary-gifts/

Tree House Humane Society for Cats
1212 W. Carmen Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60640
www.treehouseanimals.org

Please enjoy this pleasant memory of her: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxcgHDseXAI

For further information please call 312-421-0936.