<http://www.carmitimes.com> Carmi Times Posted Apr 02, 2012 @ 05:12 PM Chicago, Ill. - Rebecca ("Becky") Mai Poynton passed away peacefully February 24, 2012 at the age of 93 at The Clare at Watertower on the Near North Side of Chicago after a long illness. Rebecca had lived on the Near North Side for more than 50 years. Becky was born on August 31, 1918 in Carmi to Leona Mai and Arthur Poynton, the third of four children. In 1936, the family moved to Findlay, Oh. where Poynton attended and graduated from Findlay High School. After graduating, she attended The Gregg Business School in Chicago, later part of Northwestern University Business School, and began working for the law firm of Sidley Austin where she had a long and successful career as a Legal Assistant to a managing partner of the firm. After retiring from Sidley, at the age of 70 in 1988, Poynton joined The Union League Club of Chicago as one of the first women members. Over the years she served on various committees including admissions. She was especially active in The Athletics Department. One of her favorite activities was the tai chi class to which she attributed her high energy levels and longevity. "Keep it moving" was her advice to friends and family when asked to what she owed her good health. She was also known as "The Cookie Lady", arriving with boxes of goodies for members and staff every time she attended. Poynton also loved traveling. She and her two sisters decided they should travel while they were still able and thus started annual trips in 1988 to Europe's art capitals. Paris and Rome were her favorite destinations but she also traveled to China. New York and Atlanta were her regular stops in the U.S. to visit family. In addition to traveling, Poynton was a frequent visitor to The Art Institute of Chicago, where she was a lifetime member. She was also a member of The Daughter's Of The American Revolution, The Huguenot Society of America, and The Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, where she had been active in her youth. Always an optimist, her warmth, generous nature and sensitivity for others created a wide and loyal circle of enduring friends everywhere she went. Beloved by her family and friends, she was everyone's favorite Aunt. "Aunt Becky" will be greatly missed. Poynton was preceded in death by her elder sister Martha Ziegler, and her brother Arthur Poynton, Jr. She leaves her sister, Nola P. Webb, of New York City, her nieces Paula Evers of Perugia, Italy; Linda Size of Atlanta; Carolyn Sandlin of Chattanooga; Nell Kleinschmidt of New York City; and nephews Arthur Poynton III of Atlanta and, Winfield A. Foreman III of New York City, as well as seven grand nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held privately. Contributions may be sent in Poynton's name to The Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 East Chestnut Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2014; or The Union League Civic & Arts Foundation, 65 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604. Rebecca ("Becky") Mai Poynton passed away peacefully February 24, 2012 at the age of 93 at The Clare at Watertower on the Near North Side of Chicago after a long illness. Rebecca had lived on the Near North Side for more than 50 years. Becky was born on August 31, 1918 in Carmi to Leona Mai and Arthur Poynton, the third of four children. In 1936, the family moved to Findlay, Oh. where Poynton attended and graduated from Findlay High School. After graduating, she attended The Gregg Business School in Chicago, later part of Northwestern University Business School, and began working for the law firm of Sidley Austin where she had a long and successful career as a Legal Assistant to a managing partner of the firm. After retiring from Sidley, at the age of 70 in 1988, Poynton joined The Union League Club of Chicago as one of the first women members. Over the years she served on various committees including admissions. She was especially active in The Athletics Department. One of her favorite activities was the tai chi class to which she attributed her high energy levels and longevity. "Keep it moving" was her advice to friends and family when asked to what she owed her good health. She was also known as "The Cookie Lady", arriving with boxes of goodies for members and staff every time she attended. Poynton also loved traveling. She and her two sisters decided they should travel while they were still able and thus started annual trips in 1988 to Europe's art capitals. Paris and Rome were her favorite destinations but she also traveled to China. New York and Atlanta were her regular stops in the U.S. to visit family. In addition to traveling, Poynton was a frequent visitor to The Art Institute of Chicago, where she was a lifetime member. She was also a member of The Daughter's Of The American Revolution, The Huguenot Society of America, and The Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, where she had been active in her youth. Always an optimist, her warmth, generous nature and sensitivity for others created a wide and loyal circle of enduring friends everywhere she went. Beloved by her family and friends, she was everyone's favorite Aunt. "Aunt Becky" will be greatly missed. Poynton was preceded in death by her elder sister Martha Ziegler, and her brother Arthur Poynton, Jr. She leaves her sister, Nola P. Webb, of New York City, her nieces Paula Evers of Perugia, Italy; Linda Size of Atlanta; Carolyn Sandlin of Chattanooga; Nell Kleinschmidt of New York City; and nephews Arthur Poynton III of Atlanta and, Winfield A. Foreman III of New York City, as well as seven grand nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held privately. Contributions may be sent in Poynton's name to The Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 East Chestnut Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2014; or The Union League Civic & Arts Foundation, 65 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604. <http://www.gatehousemedia.com/terms_of_use> Copyright 2012 The Carmi Times. Some rights reserved