WILMETTE – When Ticki Lambrecht was busy raising five children with husband William Lambrecht, she loved to invite all of the neighborhood kids to their house in East Wilmette to play and hang out. “She loved being the Kool-Aid mom. All of the kids in the neighborhood played in our backyard,” daughter Beth Lambrecht told DailyNorthShore.
Geraldine “Ticki” Lambrecht, matriarch of the Lambrecht family of Lambrecht’s Jewelers, died on January 14 at age 87. Family owned Lambrecht’s Jewelers has been a mainstay of the Wilmette business community for over 60 years and was first established in Chicago 125 years ago.
“She had a good sense of humor and was Irish as all get out. She was a good lady. She was very patient and very kind,” Beth said.
Ticki was born and raised in Chicago, the youngest of seven children. Beth surmised it was this childhood experience that resulted in her mother’s notable patience. Ticki met her husband when they were in grade school, eventually marrying after he graduated from college. After a stint in California and Utah — while William was in the Navy during the Korean War — the couple returned to Chicago with two young children to manage Lambrecht’s Jewelers.
The Lambrecht Family. Photo contributed by Beth Lambrecht.
Lambrecht’s opened its second location in Wilmette in 1955 and the family moved to the village in 1961, where they raised their children and ran the business. Ticki worked alongside her husband at the store as the children grew older, taking on more responsibilities when her husband joined the Wilmette Park District Board and eventually became president.
Beth said her mother loved Wilmette and was involved in many activities. She was president of the PTA at St. Francis Elementary School, a scout leader, a member of the Wilmette Woman’s Club and involved with the parish of Saint Francis Xavier Church. “She loved knowing the people at church and at school,” Beth said.
Ticki also loved to go to the beach and family camping trips during the summer. Beth said the family saw well over half the country camping. “We went camping and she loved it. When you have five kids you don’t stay in hotels,” Beth said.
Ticki was also very involved with her neighborhood. The Lambrecht’s would throw a neighborhood holiday party every year which she loved to do. They would also set up an ice skating rink in the backyard for all of the neighborhood kids to enjoy.
In her later years, Ticki continued to stay active. She enjoyed playing bridge and participating in a book club and a Tai Chi class at Mallinckrodt Community Center. “It has been a good life. She loved having good friends and neighbors,” Beth said.
Ticki also enjoyed being a grandmother and was overjoyed to see her great-grandson. “She was a great mom, a great grandmother and a great great-grandmother. She was a wonderful lady,” Beth said.
Visitation will be held on January 22, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd. at Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077.
The Funeral Mass is on January 23, 10:00 am at Saint Francis Xavier Church, 9th and Linden, Wilmette, IL 60091.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Misericordia, 6300 N. Ridge Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660.