Louise Joan Chirby

Louise Joan Chirby Louise Joan Chirby (nee Renner), age 89, passed away peacefully in the quiet, early morning hours of September 16th, 2023. She was born on July 28, 1934, to Kathryn and Milan Renner of Gary, IN. It was there she grew up, attended Lew Wallace School and began her lifelong passion for learning. After graduation, she enrolled at Indiana University earning her Education Degree in 1956 and later her Masters Degree in French. She shared that love of learning through teaching English and French for both the Gary and Merrillville school systems. Louise's main focus was her devotion to family, and therefore, most of her life she chose to tutor children privately and substitute teach while remaining home. Even as her family grew, she continued to pour into her children and others by working with the handicapped at NWI Special Ed Facility, volunteering for Saint Stephen's Church and supporting her husband in his role at Father Blaney's Sharing Meadows. Through her service and devotion to others and her faith in God, she taught mainly by example, but in her wise but quiet way, her example spoke volumes and touched us all in the most lasting ways. Louise was a loyal and constant friend to all who knew her. Louise continued her pursuit of learning her whole life, enrolling in continuing education classes, earning Master Gardener certification, voraciously reading and researching, or in some cases, self-teaching anything that struck her as interesting, like playing guitar. She believed in staying healthy and active and her enjoyment of Tai Chi helped to keep her agile and strong through to the end of her life. She had a strong love for her country and often participated in local politics and campaigns. Her energy for things she had passion for was endless. Louise is predeceased by her loving husband of 61 years, Richard (Dick), her parents and her brother, Richard (Betty). She will be greatly missed and survived by her beloved children: Yvonne (Perry, decd.) of Spring Branch, Texas, Carol (Michael, decd.) of Greenville, South Carolina, Stephanie (Brian) of Jupiter, Florida, and Louise of Chicago, Illinois. She was a proud grandmother of twelve: Adam, Jessica, Grace, Connor (Angie), Caitlin (Jonathan), Brennan, Maura, Kathryn (Caleb), Alexandra, Reid, Claudia and Madison. She had one great grandchild, Christopher. Louise also leaves behind her dear sister, Cheryl (Neal), along with numerous nieces and nephews. Friends and family may visit at the Geisen/Pruzin Funeral Home at 606 East 113th Avenue Crown Point, IN, on Sunday, September 25th from 1 to 5PM. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 9AM from the Funeral Home Chapel followed by Mass at St Stephen the Martyr at 10AM followed by burial at Calumet Park Cemetery.