RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Ann Gerber has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of her passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Ann Gerber was a veteran Chicago gossip columnist whose career brought her in contact with Hollywood stars, Gold Coast socialites and luminaries from all walks of life; and
WHEREAS, In late 2015 Ann Gerber stepped down from Inside Publications after more than sixty-five years writing the nation's longest-running society column that was enjoyed by generations of readers; and
WHEREAS, Ann Gerber began her long and illustrious journalism career at the age of 16 when she joined the Lerner community newspaper chain covering community news and events on the North Side while attending classes at Senn High School in Edgewater; and
WHEREAS, A year after embarking on her writing career with Lerner, Ann Gerber was promoted to editor, reporting on the inner workings of Chicago's social scene and the comings and goings of local, national and international celebrities; and
WHEREAS, Ten years later, Ann Gerber debuted her society column in Skyline, the Lerner Publications' weekly for Chicago's Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, the Loop and Near North Side neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, A Chicago original, Ann Gerber remained true to her personal credo that "Gossip is a form of news, and news is what happens to people"; and
WHEREAS, The "Queen of Chicago gossip," Ann Gerber perfected her craft over many years and attended on average five gala events a week plus an annual two-month visit to Palm Beach and numerous trips abroad; and
WHEREAS, With the exception of her tenure at the Chicago Sun-Times from 1987-1989 when her column spread across three pages of the Sunday edition, Ann Gerber devoted most of her career to the readership of the Skyline Newspapers; and
WHEREAS, Ann Gerber created "Spotlight Chicago," an independent newspaper published from the fall of 1989 through 1992; and
WHEREAS, Ann Gerber also authored two locally published cookbooks entitled Chicago's Classiest Cuisines and Chicago's Sweet Tooth; and
WHEREAS, A woman of dignity, grace and charm, Ann Gerber was a mentor to many and a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Chicago Journalist's Association; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Ann Gerber serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, Her love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Ann Gerber to her family members, friends and all who knew her, and enabled her to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and
WHEREAS, To her husband of 50 years, Bernard Kaplan, and her beloved family, Ann Gerber imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this fourteenth day of December, 2016, do hereby commemorate Ann Gerber for her grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to her family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Ann Gerber.
