Obituaries

Echo Marie Mésaga, born in Chicago, Illinois on May 14, 1954 to Dorothy Kamis (née Pratt), Echo is survived by her husband, Kelvin; kids, Misty and Isaiah; granddaughter, Noelani; and siblings Joyce, John, and Theodore Kamis.

Echo married Kelvin Schroeder on August 1, 1972 in Flora, IL and went on to achieve her life’s goal by building a close and loving family: Misty was born in May 1973 and Isaiah came along 5 years later, in June 1978; Noelani joined the family when Misty gave birth in March 2000.

Echo cherished her family more than anything and made sure her kids and granddaughter had opportunities she never had. The family had many adventures together, due to Echo’s vision of success: from taking road trips to explore culture and cuisine, to pulling up stakes and moving to Boston in 1985; from making candy canes by hand during the holidays, to teaching everyone to cook like a pro; and from to deciding to try skiing one random day and just doing it with some used skis at the local park, to tent camping as a family every 3rd week in October. (Echo loved the cold!!)

She was a master at celebration, throwing “summer” parties in midwinter to warm everyone’s soul and demonstrating the importance of family tradition and ritual. In fact, Echo started many traditions for the family, including tying down the sun at Winter Solstice and going all-out for any holiday celebration. Gift-giving was her love language and she did so generously and energetically at every opportunity.

Echo’s generosity is legendary. She took people in and made them feel loved; she made sure everyone had what they needed and plenty that they wanted as well. It was important to her that people felt cared for. Her generous, compassionate nature also made her a fierce leftist, believing that we are all responsible for everyone’s well-being.

A big reader, explorer of ideas, and constant thinker, Echo made SURE her kids’ horizons were broadened – a legacy that continues to be explored, enjoyed, and passed down. She created the name “Mésaga” to pass down her own feminist legacy; the name is comprised of Latin and Greek words that mean “Mother Wisdom” and “female sage/speaker of Truth” – an aspiration for us all!

Echo was absolutely not perfect and she fought many battles around the concept of “perfection.” Yet, her flaws have always been a huge part of her beauty – all that she did, she did in the best way she knew, and she was always learning. She loved, she persevered, and she lived a hell of a life, despite the odds; she did it because, for her, there was no other option but to live passionately. Her favorite color was green, the color of life, and in true Creative fashion, the world was her canvas.

Echo Mésaga, we miss you something powerful. But we send you off with enormous love and gratitude. Thank you for sharing yourself with us – we are so much the better for having known you and having been loved by you. <3

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Echo’s friends and family memorial will be held at Natural Path Cemetery (2299 Spring Rose Rd, Verona, WI) on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 2pm. The family will host a celebration of her life (indoors) immediately following the burial; please dress to celebrate and wear something green.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made in Echo’s honor to either:

2nd Harvest Food Bank, or The Farley Center

Parking at the Farley Center/Natural Path is limited; please carpool if possible.