Lake Forest Obituary: Billie Rowley MacArthur, 92

The following obituary is courtesy of Wenban Funeral Home.

Billie Rowley MacArthur, long-time resident of Lake Forest, passed away at home on June 4th at the age of 92.

Born in Library, Pennsylvania, she was the determined youngest child of Stephen and Ethel Rowley, and was particularly close to her sister Helen, known as Hedy. In one of her early jobs Billie worked as a hotel telephone operator, an occupation she so excelled at that she was assigned to cover Frank Sinatra’s phone service when he stayed at the hotel. He so appreciated her skill and discretion at directing his calls that he took her out for what she always referred to as “a date.”

Working as the receptionist at an insurance company, she caught the eye of the boss’s son, Edward S. MacArthur, known to friends as Sandy. They married in 1951 and soon moved to Lake Forest. Billie was fiercely devoted to family, especially her children Debbie, Duncan (“Pike”), Jim, and Mary, and she always made them her first priority.

She loved to entertain friends and family in their Lake Forest home, coordinating wonderful gatherings and celebrations. She had an excellent eye for design and decorating, and her creative renovations and plans resulted in a gracious and welcoming home where people of all ages liked to gather. The household also always seemed to have a menagerie of varied pets that added to the lively atmosphere.

For several years she helped run “The Little Cricket Shop” with several close friends, where her marketing and organizational skills were mobilized and unleashed. She also enjoyed traveling both domestically and abroad. Her last trip was to Morocco in 1998, where she enjoyed bargaining in the market places but, at age 75, declined the camel rides.

Her first grandchild called her “Mud,” and she proudly claimed this nickname for the rest of her life; it was how she was known to many.

Billie was preceded in death by her sister, Helen Roberts, her brother James Rowley, her husband Sandy, and both her beloved sons, Duncan and Jim.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Deborah and Rick Sipe and Mary and Steve Schneider; her five grandchildren, Dr. Christopher (Alison) Sipe, C.G. Sipe, Zachary Duncan Schneider, Samuel Pike MacArthur, and Ellissa MacArthur; her four great-grandchildren Molly, Christopher, Alexander, and Claire Sipe; and her much adored teacup Maltese, Lady Gaga. Her life was enriched by devoted friends Gisela Borchardt and Sandy Mason, and her family is grateful for the caring support of Mark, Krystina,Tina, Dr. Gerald Osher, and Midwest Hospice nurses Jamie Kessler and Michelle Schumacher.

Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her honor to Gorton Community Center (gortoncenter.org) or to Lake Forest Open Lands Association (lfola.org).