Chicago Tribune
April 22, 2017
Maureen Steindler, nee Westerberg, age 92, died at her home in Elmwood Park on Sunday, April 9, 2017. Maureen was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada where, as a child, she performed with the Toronto Children's Players. She came to the United States to attend Northwestern University where she met and, in 1946, married Emanuel (Manny) Steindler. She and Manny remained married until his death in 2001. Maureen graduated with honors from Northwestern in 1948. While at NU, she directed children's theater and after graduating, wrote, and directed children's plays for community theaters and Hull House Theater. Maureen was very active in Chicago's acting community throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s, teaching and performing at Second City, Hull House, and other Chicago Theaters. Maureen was a member of Actors' Equity, serving in many leadership positions throughout her professional acting career. She was nominated for a 1975 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actress in a Principal Role for her performance in "Ruffian on the Stair" at the Orphans Theatre Company in Chicago. Beginning in the 1970s until her death Maureen was active in the film and advertising community, appearing in several movies, including Robert Altman's "A Wedding" (1978) and "Poltergeist III" (1988), as well as numerous TV commercials, print ads, and voice overs. From the early 1990s, Maureen was involved with the Senior Radio Players, a performance group of the Screen Actors' Guild and the American Federal of TV and Radio Artists (SAG/AFTRA) dedicated to bringing the art of old time radio to the stage. A natural comedienne, she appeared on stage in several roles over the years, including recent appearances as Baby Snooks and Chaquita Banana. In addition to her many professional accomplishments, Maureen was admired for her humor and giving, compassionate heart. Maureen is survived by her three children, Kathryn (Salvador) Ramos, Arthur (Mary) Steindler, and Wallace Steindler, three grandchildren Nathan Ramos, Corynne Steindler Cirilli, and Ellen Steindler Serafin, and her great grandson, Kai Cirilli, many loving cousins, nieces and nephews, neighbors, and friends. A memorial and celebration of her life is being planned for June.
STEINDER, Maureen
Born: 1925, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Died: 4/9/2017, Elmwood, Park, U.S.A.
Maureen Steinder’s western – actress:
The Chisholms (TV) – 1979 (Millie Bain)