THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE SEASONS - Goodman Theatre

38
In Memoriam
During the 2010/2011 Season, the Goodman lost dear friends from among its major boards
and their families. They are missed by all.
Deborah Beitler
Deborah Beitler was a warm and energetic
member of the Goodman Theatre Women’s
Board, where she held a variety of leadership
roles. After joining in 2003, Debbie took on
an array of responsibilities including serving as
co-chair of the Season Opening Benefit featuring
Purlie, co-chairing the Menu Committee for
the Goodman’s annual Gala and playing an
instrumental role in reviving and adapting the
Women’s Board bylaws. No matter the project,
Debbie performed each task with enthusiasm.
In addition to her involvement on the Women’s
Board, Debbie and her husband, Stephen, were
longtime Subscribers and Premiere Society
Donors, providing generous support for Goodman
Education and Community Engagement programs
and productions throughout the years.
Debbie was also very active on the Women’s
Boards of other Chicago institutions including
the Joffrey Ballet and Ravinia Festival. She was
a great leader in the Chicagoland philanthropic
community and will be missed.
Joan M. Freehling
Joan was a civic leader and patron of the arts
who shared her husband’s commitment to civic
and philanthropic causes. With her husband,
Stanley Freehling, the Founding Chairman of the
Goodman, she launched the Goodman’s journey
to becoming a cherished Chicago institution.
Joan served on the Goodman Theatre Women’s
Board for 33 years. She was a member of the
Women’s Board Executive Committee, a Planning
Chair for the inaugural festivities of the capital
campaign for the new Goodman, co-chaired
The Gospel at Colonus Gala and worked on
numerous other projects including the Women’s
Board annual appeal campaign, fashion show,
banner and Gala ad book. She brought thorough
and detailed planning to each of her tasks and
had the ability to inspire her colleagues.
Joan also served on boards of the Art Institute
of Chicago, University of Chicago, Northwestern
University, the Cradle and the Rehabilitation
Institute, and was a Life Trustee of Ravinia
Festival. She was a graduate of New Trier
Township High School and attended Scripps
College in Claremont, California.
William W. McKittrick
Beloved husband of Life Trustee and Women’s
Board member Carolyn McKittrick and great
friend to the Goodman, Bill had a distinguished
career in law and was a life long patron of the
arts and learning. He served on active duty during
World War II and was a founding partner of the
firm Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz. He
was a member of the undefeated 1933 football
team at DePauw University, where he received an
undergraduate degree. He received his JD from
Northwestern University School of Law.
Bill gave substantially of both his time and
resources to numerous civic organizations,
including the Art Institute of Chicago (for which
he also served on numerous service committees),
the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra (Life Trustee), the Newberry
Library (Life Trustee), Northwestern University
and the Caxton Club (former President).
Throughout his 68-year marriage to Carolyn,
Bill was incredibly supportive of her endeavors
and passions, including the Goodman.