Member of Chicago's Pritzker family dies after long illness

Rhoda Pritzker, whose late husband's family founded the Hyatt hotel chain, has died, her son said. She was 93.

Pritzker died at her winter home Dec. 23 in Casey Key, Fla., after a long illness, her son Nicholas Pritzker said.

She was married to Chicago businessman and lawyer Jack Pritzker. He and his brother Abram Nicholas Pritzker were original builders of the Pritzker empire which includes the Hyatt hotel chain. Jack Pritzker died in 1979.

Rhoda Pritzker was born in Manchester, England and worked as a journalist for several media outlets including the British Broadcasting Corp. She immigrated to the United States in 1939 where she continued working as a journalist.

She later became a philanthropist and served on many boards including The Theater School at DePaul University, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota Bay, Fla., and the New College of Florida.

"She always worked quietly and with great devotion," her son said. "She was tireless."

The Pritzker family's foundation awarded scholarships for New College students and gave $900,000 to build a marine biology research center for the school.

Pritzker is survived by her son, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A private funeral service was held in Chicago.