A long-time resident of Wilmette, Illinois, Ruth Ann died peacefully after the consequences of a stroke in Prospect Heights, Illinois. She suffered from dementia as of several years ago and had been declining gradually. She was in good spirits and her usual gracious self until the stroke. She was 95 years of age, and was married to Robert G. Frazier, M.D., for 71 years until he died in 2021. She had 3 children and 3 grandchildren, and is predeceased by her parents, Stephen and Ruth Johnson, her husband, Robert, her eldest son Stephen, and her eldest granddaughter Eleanor; she is survived by her son Thomas (Pat Dillavou), daughter Carolyn (Duncan Moore) and grandchildren Benjamin and Roberta Frazier.
Ruth Ann was born in Chicago and attended only one academic institution, the University of Chicago. She started as a “Lab School baby” and continued through the four year college and part of a masters (psychology and fine arts). She was a “latch key kid” in grade school, and during high school and college lived with friends when her parents were stationed in Brussels, Belgium, with the State Department after World War II. She met Robert when she was working at the university hospital and he was in medical school there. They were married in Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago in November, 1950.
After living in Denver, CO; Frankfurt, Germany; and Iowa City, IA, following Robert’s medical residency, deferred military service and first job, they moved to Wilmette, IL, where Robert was Secretary and later Executive Director of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Ruth Ann enrolled in a tennis class in 1960 at Vaatman Park and met Lucia Miller and Ruth Freeark, and so the famous “Wilmette Tennis Group” was born. This grew from 4 to 12 couples and became the rock of Ruth Ann and Robert’s social lives, a weekly athletic and social institution that lasted 40 plus years.
As a sculptor, Ruth Ann enjoyed a long career. She started studying painting and sculpture at the Evanston Art Center in the 1960s and soon corten steel became her primary medium; her sculptures range from table top, to wall hanging or large, free standing outdoor works of art. Her work can be seen at the College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL; and the Ladd Arboretum in Evanston, IL.
In addition to art, Ruth Ann was creative in all aspects of her life. And everything she did, she did well — cook gourmet meals, sew fabulous clothes, play competitive tennis, speak Spanish and French, and organize beautiful parties for Robert’s work or for their friends and family.
She was an inspiration, a gracious and loyal friend with a sharp, dry wit.
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