Ann Lurie. Image courtesy of www.annlurie.com
June 24, 2024 — Well-known Chicago and worldwide philanthropist Ann Lurie, namesake of the Ann and Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, passed away on June 24 after succumbing to glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. She was 79.
Lurie’s philanthropic efforts were numerous and impactful, and provided vital support to the critical needs of multiple agencies around the world, including initiatives addressing hunger, healthcare deficiencies, animal welfare, arts enrichment and conservation programs. The following statement was made on behalf of Tom Shanley, MD, president and CEO of Lurie Children’s. It reads:
“With profound sadness, I share that Ann Lurie passed away this morning, June 24, 2024. Her unwavering dedication and generous contributions to our organization touched countless lives and will continue to be a source of inspiration to us all, and her absence will be deeply felt.
“Ann’s experience as a pediatric critical care nurse at the former Children’s Memorial Hospital inspired her to make an unprecedented gift of $100 Million in 2007 that helped to build our beautiful Streeterville hospital. This gift continues to be the largest charitable investment received in our 142-year history. Throughout the Heroes for Life Campaign, Ann was a focused and fearless champion for our cause, and her leadership rallied the city to our side. At the same time, the example set by Ann redefined the landscape for transformational philanthropy across this city, and for children’s hospitals across the country.
“Ann served as a member on the Hospital, Research Institute, and Foundation Boards in the 1990s and 2000s. She then became a Hospital Board Senior Director in 2010. In 2020, Ann was appointed Lurie Children’s first Distinguished Lifetime Director of the Medical Center Board, an honor reserved for those exceptional instances when we recognize those very rare individuals whose leadership, service and impact have profoundly shaped the trajectory of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
“Words cannot adequately convey the sadness we share with Ann’s family and friends and all those she touched across Chicago and far beyond. Lurie Children’s will forever be grateful to Ann for creating a legacy that allows us to provide the highest quality, most compassionate care for patients and families across Chicagoland and beyond. Ann’s life inspires us all to embrace the power of her mantra to “do a good deed daily.”
More information on Ann Lurie's life and legacy can be found at www.annlurie.com
January 23, 2026 
