Honoring the Life and Legacy of Amy McCarty by Executive Director, Elise Geiger
Meals on Wheels Chicago has lost one of our most loyal and dedicated champions. On Sunday, January 11, 2026, Immediate Past President and Board Member Amy McCarty passed away at home surrounded by family. Her life was full of love, compassion, and good works, and we are devastated to see it cut so short.
I still remember my first encounter with Amy nearly a decade ago at a Celebrity Chef Ball committee meeting. She approached me with a warm hug, instantly transforming the atmosphere of the room. She possessed a powerful ability to command attention, blending her radiant smile with insightful observations. She didn’t just talk the talk, she walked the walk - always committing herself to making the world a better place. She was perhaps one of the most reliable people you could ever meet. Whenever there was a challenge or an opportunity to improve something, she was the first to step up. Her dedication knew no bounds.
As President of the Meals on Wheels Chicago Board, Amy played a crucial role in my journey as an Executive Director. Her leadership was particularly vital during the pandemic. I’ll always treasure the two-minute video on my phone captured during that time, where Amy is advocating passionately for our organization with her unique blend of magical presence and matter-of-fact delivery, using that distinctive voice she was blessed with. It’s a reminder of the energy and commitment she brought to every undertaking.
Professionally, as a lawyer representing the elderly, she understood the importance of service to them and her compassion for those she represented was evident. Meals on Wheels Chicago was fortunate to have her leadership, and her impact will be felt for years to come. She was not just a professional powerhouse; she was a bright person with a huge heart and an infectious spark.
In honor of Amy’s incredible dedication to our mission, Meals on Wheels Chicago has established the Amy McCarty Emeritus Board. This group of dedicated volunteers will be tasked with ensuring Amy’s incredible legacy of strong leadership and charity continues for years to come by providing invaluable guidance and community connection to our organization. We hope this tribute will enshrine Amy’s beautiful spirit and personal unwavering commitment to seniors into the core of our organization, serving as a beacon of light and hope for the future.
We were all blessed to know her and to witness her unwavering spirit. The skies will always seem a little brighter with her shining down on us, and I have no doubt that heaven is more vibrant and joyful with her there. Read more about Amy McCarty’s life and legacy.
Elise Geiger, Executive Director