Chicago Theater Memorial Bike Ride Honors Molly Glynn and Others Lost This Year

The Chicago theatre community will band together for a Memorial Bike Ride to commemorate those lost over the last year, including CHICAGO FIRE actress Molly Glynn.

The Chicago Tribune writes that Glynn, who lived in Rogers Park, also loved to cycle. Organized by Carmen Roman and created by Glynn's husband and friends "as a way to celebrate Glynn and her legacy as a talented actress, wife and mother," the Chicago Theater Memorial Bike Ride will be held today, September 19th.

The route spans 12 miles and kicks off at Rainbow Beach Park in Chicago at 79th Street and Lake Michigan, making a loop back to the starting point. The organizers are suggesting a $25 donation per rider, with up to 400 people taking on the course.

"Molly was the impetus for it," Roman told the Tribune. "She was an amazing spirit. Not only was she a brilliant actress, but she was a brilliant human being. She is sorely missed...She'd be thrilled. I feel like she'll be riding with us on that day."

The actress was struck by a falling tree on Friday, September 5th, as she was bike riding with her husband, Joe Foust. The couple found themselves caught in an unexpected storm. As Glynn tried to seek shelter, she was hit by an uprooted tree. Although she was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, she passed away from her injuries the following day.

The same week that Glynn died, six other members of the Chicago theatre community also passed away. Twenty-six people in all will be honored at the event.

"I'm hoping members of our community can come together and find a way to celebrate the lives of the people we've lost," Stage Left Theatre Company Artistic Director Vance Smith told the Tribune. "I like to think that she would be really happy that this ride is celebrating a lot of artists and not just totally focused on her. Molly was just a natural nurturer. She had this capacity to take care of so many people in the community."

Money raised will be donated to The Actors Fund.

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