Chicago actress Molly Glynn fatally struck by falling tree during storm

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Saturday, September 6, 2014
Chicago actress Molly Glynn dies after struck by falling tree during storm
Chicago actress Molly Glynn died Saturday after being hit by a falling tree while bicycling in a north suburban forest preserve on Friday.

WINNETKA, Ill. (WLS) -- Chicago actress Molly Glynn died Saturday after being hit by a falling tree while bicycling in a north suburban forest preserve on Friday. She is being remembered for her grace and sophistication on the stage.

Chicago's acting community is mourning one of their own. The 46-year-old actress died after what can only be described as a freak accident. She and her husband were riding their bikes on the North Branch Trail near Northfield Friday when they were caught in a fast moving thunderstorm. A falling tree struck her.

Glynn was described by her peers as someone who was in the process of emerging as one of the city's major players.

Glynn recently appeared in multiple roles in Skokie's Northlight Theatre Production of Tom Jones and had just finished a run as understudy in The Dance of Death in Glencoe's Writer's Theatre.

"Molly was a marvelous actress and a completely warm-hearted and generous human being," artistic director Michael Halberstam said in a statement. "She had grace, sophistication and a sparkling, sexy, sassy stage presence."

To help out her family, her friends have established the Molly Glynn Memorial Trust on Saturday, which has already raised $56,000.

Glynn is survived by her husband and two teenage sons.

ComEd says thousands still without power Saturday night

ComEd crews have been out all day Saturday restoring power after Friday's quick moving storm.

As of Saturday night, 11,500 people are still in the dark.

The majority of those are in the northern suburbs, although 1,500 are without electricity in the western suburbs, as well.

At the height of the storm, 179,000 customers lost power.