Ethel Ladd Zitnik

Ethel Margaret (nee Ladd) Zitnik was born on December 18, 1930 to James Austin Ladd and Ethel Marie (nee Monarque) in Chicago, Illinois. She was the middle child of three daughters. Ethel attended Academy of Our Lady School. She met her husband, Ralph Sterle Zitnik, M.D. while he was in medical school. They married in 1957 and raised three sons, Ralph, John, and Stephen. The family spent some years in Rochester, Minnesota while Ralph practiced Cardiology at the Mayo Clinic. They returned to Chicago in 1972 and settled in Oakbrook, IL.

Ethel was a force in everything she did and possessed a thirst for knowledge. For over 20 years, she was a docent for the Chicago Architecture Foundation, leading river boat tours and teaching her attendees about the buildings and architecture of Chicago, the city she knew well and loved.

Following an extended trip to Ireland, Ethel became enamored with Irish culture and literature. She avidly studied the writings of James Joyce and William Butler Yeats and returned to Ireland often.

After Ralph’s death in 1987, Ethel moved downtown to the iconic Mies van der Rohe buildings on North Lake Shore Drive. She was active and served on the Boards of Glessner House, Misericordia, and Fortnightly of Chicago - the city’s oldest women’s organization, founded in 1873.

Many of her happiest years were working at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers (LHA). Her first paycheck is framed and hangs in the entry of her home. She generously shared her passion and knowledge of antiques with all. During her career at LHA, Ethel forged many long-lasting relationships with both co-workers and clients.

Ethel died on September 22, 2023 after a brief illness. She is preceded in death by her husband Ralph and son John, and her sisters Miriam McGrath (Judge John F. McGrath) and Jeanne Ann Dunne. She will be dearly missed by her family, sons Ralph J. Zitnik M.D. (Mary-Louise Scully M.D), Stephen J. Zitnik (Mary Dwyer Zitnik), her two grandchildren, Robert Zitnik and Kate Zitnik, her niece Peggy McGrath Talbot, and brother-in law Robert L. Dunne, and many nephews, nieces, extended family, and friends.

Ethel will be laying in state at Holy Name Cathedral 735 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654 on Thursday October 12th, 2023 from 9:30am until the Mass of Christian burial at 10:30am. Interment Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Ethel’s honor to Misericordia. www.misericordia.com/giving/donate-online

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.blakelamboaklawn.com for the Zitnik family.