Elizabeth M. Grady

Born on December 7, 1961, Beth grew up in Gaylord, Michigan, where she excelled at St. Mary Cathedral School, nurturing a creative spirit that lasted a lifetime.

Growing up in the shadows of nearby Boyne Mountain Resort, Beth was an accomplished skier. She spent summers in Mackinaw Island working as a waitress at the Grand Hotel.

Beth attended Michigan State University, earning both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Advertising, and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority.

Post graduation, Beth moved to Chicago, where she started what would become a long and storied career in Advertising. This is where she met Brian, who pursued her quite ardently until she finally relented and married him in 1989.

Beth directed and managed media at a great many of the city’s most recognized advertising agencies, including FCB Chicago, Euro RSCG and BBDO—as well as stints at McCann Erickson in Los Angeles and Doner in Southfield, Michigan. She worked for a variety of blue chip clients including Kimberley Clark, Kraft Foods, Proctor & Gamble, Nestlé, Wrigley and others. In 1998, her work on Wrigley earned her a coveted Cannes Lion Media award—the first ever Cannes award recognizing excellence in media planning.

But if you asked Beth, her proudest accomplishment was the book she published chronicling her first battle with cancer—Inflammatory Breast Cancer—in 1998. Titled “LIVE W I D E”, it challenges us to truly live each day and reminds us not to wait for a crisis to create a more aware and grateful life.

Beth positively impacted the lives of so many people. She ran marathons and enjoyed being a marathon pace coach for the Chicago Area Runners Association. She dedicated 20+ years to the non-profit sector through public speaking, counseling and fundraising for organizations including Imerman Angels, American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen & Gilda’s Club.

She enjoyed traveling, gardening and was a creative cook in the kitchen. Always fashionable, her hats, shoes and outfits were conversation starters with both strangers and friends. She channeled her natural talents for writing and storytelling through improv classes and performed on Chicago’s Goodman Theater stage through the GeNarrations program.

Incredibly smart, funny and generous to a fault, Beth had a genuine gift for inspiring all whom she encountered. She will be missed more than we can imagine, but most assuredly she will be loved and fondly remembered for a life well-lived.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating in the name of Elizabeth Grady to:

Imerman Angels – https://imermanangels.org/

The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation – https://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/

Or to a charity of your choice.

A visitation for Elizabeth will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Malec & Sons Funeral Home, 6000 North Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646, followed by a celebration of life from 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM.