Soretta Shapiro, 90, died Sunday morning after a brief illness. Mrs. Shapiro, a life-long Chicagoan, was actively engaged in Chicago philanthropic organizations for many years. She served on the women’s boards of the Jewish United Fund, Michael Reese Hospital and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She and her late husband, Henry I. Shapiro, were well known in cultural circles as generous donors and enthusiastic supporters of a number of Chicago artistic organizations, particularly, in music, art and theater. Mrs. Shapiro was beloved by family, friends and neighbors for her unwavering optimism and invariably cheerful disposition, making her a favorite with people of all ages and backgrounds, and celebrated for her beauty and elegance. Fully active until her recent illness, Mrs. Shapiro is survived by her two sons, Earl and James; two daughters-in-law, Brenda and Joan; a sister, Jean Dickman; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at Congregation Rodefi Zedek, 5260 South Hyde Park Blvd., at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 10. The family will receive visitors that evening at her residence at 1540 N. Lake Shore Drive, from 6 to 9 p.m. The family asks that contributions, in Mrs. Shapiro’s memory, be made either to the Chicago Jewish United Fund or the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
